Women and tobacco: smokers clinical characteristics at a Tunisian tobacco cessation consultation during a 10-year-period
 
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1
Department of Prevention and Safety of Care, Sahloul University Hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
 
2
Department of Prevention and Safety of Care, Sahloul University hospital, Sousse, Tunisia
 
 
Publication date: 2023-04-27
 
 
Popul. Med. 2023;5(Supplement):A68
 
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Smoking is one of the most serious threats to global public health and the most widespread in Tunisia. The incidence of female smokers is increasing through the years, as well as the incidence of hospitalizations for cardiovascular complications and cancers testifying to the high risk in this gender. Objectives: To describe the sociodemographic and medical characteristics of female smokers. Methods: A longitudinal descriptive epidemiological study was carried out among female smoking patients followed up at the smoking cessation consultation at the Sahloul University Hospital in Sousse, during the period from 2011 to 2021. The collection of socio- demographic and medical data was based on a pre-established synoptic form and validated questionnaires in Arabic and French completed during an interview with the participants. Results: A total of 92 patients were identified. The median age was 37 years (29.25 - 50). Overall, 18.5% of patients had comorbidities, the most common being hypertension (9.9%) and diabetes (5.6%). The median age of the first cigarette use was 18.5 years (16 - 20) and 20 years (17 - 22) for daily smoking. Cross addiction was identified among 6.4% participants. Using the Fagerström score, 38.5% of women were highly dependent Moreover 41.7% presented a high score of depression score and 25% of anxiety. Smoking cessation prevalence was 9.1% and 20% at 6 and 12 months, respectively. Conclusions: Smoking is steadily increasing in women. Therefore, the implementation of smoking cessation interventions targeted to women remains a necessary measure.
ISSN:2654-1459
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