The effectiveness of an education program on stages of smoking behavior for workers at a factory in Turkey

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the smoking behavior based on "stages of change" model of the workers and to assess the effectiveness of a education program at a workplace. The first step was descriptive and the second step was an experimental study. The intervention group received an smoking cessation education. Before intervention 36% of the intervention group were at precontemplation stage. Six months after the intervention decline the percentage of those at precontemplation stage was significantly lower. In the control group there was not a significant reduction in the percentages of smokers at precontemplation stage before and after the intervention. After the 6 months the "maintenance" stage rates were 6% and 2% in the intervention and control groups, respectively. The study showed that the education in factory for workers could not be successful in quiting, however it impacted the intention and preparation of to quit in the future.