The Importance of Tobacco Cessation Training for Nurses in Serbia

Merrill, Ray M. PhD, MPH
Gagon, Heather MPH
Harmon, Tanner BS
Milovic, Ivan MD, PhD

<p>Dr. Merrill is Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Health Science, College of Life Sciences; Ms. Gagon is a student; and Mr. Harmon is a student, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Dr. Milovic is Professor of Pediatric Surgery, University Medical School, Belgrade, Serbia.</p><p>The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.</p><p>Presented as a poster at the annual meeting of the American College of Epidemiology, September 2008, Tucson, Arizona.</p><p>Address correspondence to Ray M. Merrill, PhD, MPH, Brigham Young University, Department of Health Science, 221-A Richards Building, Provo, UT 84602.</p>

Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing 41(2):p 89-96, 2010. | DOI: 10.3928/00220124-20100126-05

<div class="ftSection"><span class="ftInlineSubsectionTitle">Background:</span><p>This study assessed smoking prevalence, attitudes, and perceived patient counseling responsibilities among practicing nurses in Serbia. The need for nurses to receive tobacco cessation training is explored.</p></div><div class="ftSection"><span class="ftInlineSubsectionTitle">Methods:</span><p>Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of 230 nurses at public institutions in Belgrade, a health care center in Belgrade, and public health care facilities throughout Serbia.</p></div><div class="ftSection"><span class="ftInlineSubsectionTitle">Results:</span><p>The smoking prevalence was 52% for male nurses and 47% for female nurses. Nurses had the greatest mean level of agreement with statements about controlling smoking through policy, followed by statements about being role models. Only 15% (<italic>n</italic> = 35) of nurses regularly counseled their patients about smoking, and only 16% of nurses (45% of males vs. 12% of females, <italic>p</italic> < .0001) had received training in counseling patients about smoking. Nurses’ training in counseling patients about smoking was positively associated with the nurses’ belief that their counseling could help patients stop smoking or never start smoking. In addition, nurses with training in counseling patients about smoking considered themselves significantly better prepared to assist patients to quit smoking. Nurses who smoked were significantly less likely to believe that their counseling about smoking could be effective. They also felt significantly less well prepared to assist patients to quit smoking.</p></div><div class="ftSection"><span class="ftInlineSubsectionTitle">Conclusion:</span><p>These findings show that nurses’ training in tobacco cessation counseling results in greater self-perceived confidence and frequency of regular tobacco cessation counseling in Serbia.</p></div>