2017 National Survey of Tobacco Cessation Clinics in China: evidence from the combination of nationwidegovernment and clinic on-line survey

Abstract

Background: Accessible tobacco cessation network provide china one of the most effective measures to avoid disability and premature death.The purpose of thisstudywas to analyze the current status of tobacco cessation clinics in China and identify barriers to the development of cessation treatment, with the goal of strengthening the national tobacco cessation network in China. Methods: This was a nationwideon-line survey. All 31 Provincial Health and Family Planning Commission (provincial HFPC) and 366 health institutions with tobacco cessation clinics were involved. Government support and cessation clinics status were evaluated by government and clinic questionnaire respectively. Subsequently, we divided the clinics by if they had staffs ever participated Smoking Cessation Training and Research Programme. A comparative analysis was made between the participated institution vs. non-participant institution (PI vs. NPI), using the proportion comparison and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals. Results: 87.1% provincial HFPC published the notice toward general tobacco control, only 41.9% provincial HFPC transmitted “Guideline on China Clinical Smoking Cessation”. Among all 366 health institutions that reported had cessation clinic, most 72.7% were general hospitals and set in respiratory department(230, 62.8%). PI group more likely to provide medication for smokers (P< 0.05, OR=1.86) and had higher possibility of using micro CO monitor (P< 0.05, OR=1.92). In addition, although insignificant, the PI group conducted better first visit registration (P>0.05, OR=1.18), more likely to arrange more than 6 times follow-up visit within 6 month (P>0.05, OR=1.76). Conclusions: Most provincial HFPC more focused on general tobacco control policy, lack effective support to promote cessation clinics development. The number of hospitals that established cessation clinic were increased with the national support, however cessation resources were imbalance distribution and tobacco cessation treatment had not been integrated into primary care system. Cessation treatment was still facing challenges, Smoking Cessation Training and Research Programme standardized cessation treatment at hospital level.