An online survey on knowledge, attitude and practice among primary healthcare providers towards smoking cessation in Selangor, Malaysia

Abstract

ObjectiveWe assessed knowledge about the health effects of smoking, attitude, and intention to practice smoking cessation advice. MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was done among 524 healthcare providers in 30 primary care clinics in Selangor State, Malaysia. Association of HCPs’ smoking cessation practices with demographics, service-related and smoking-related factors were tested by Poisson regression. ResultsOverall current smoking prevalence was 3.1 (95%CI 1.6, 4.5), significantly higher among males (14.4 vs 0.2, p < 0.001). Knowledge score was higher (mean 10.8, SD 1.5, maximum 13) than attitude (mean 43.5, SD 13.2, maximum 65) and practice (mean 33.0, SD 9.2, maximum 45) towards smoking cessation. Practice score was associated with female sex [Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) 1.1, 95%CI 1.09, 1.2], being a nurse (IRR 1.08, 95%Cl 1.04, 1.12), knowledge (IRR 1.02, 95%CI 1.01,1.03), attitude (IRR 0.997, 95%Cl 0.99–1.00) and smoke-free homes (IRR 0.89, 95%CI 0.85,0.94). ConclusionInvolvement of female HCPs (nurses) could improve cessation practices in primary care.