Helping women veterans quit smoking: a qualitative analysis of successful and unsuccessful attempts

Kristin M Berg,Douglas E Jorenby,Stephanie J Gruber

doi:10.1186/s12905-020-00918-6

Kristin M Berg, Douglas E Jorenby + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-020-00918-6

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Abstract

BackgroundTobacco use is the number one cause of death and disability of women in the United States, and our women Veteran population is disproportionately affected. Despite revisions to the Veterans Affairs’ approach to smoking cessation, women continue to smoke at equal or higher rates than men, are prescribed cessation medications less frequently, and are less likely to quit. In this qualitative pilot study, individual interviews with women Veterans revealed their experiences with smoking cessation attempts.MethodsThe lead author conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 women Veterans who were either current or former smokers. Participants gave a narrative account of recent quit smoking attempts. Inductive thematic analysis explored the underlying themes.ResultsFour main themes emerged as important: health and well-being, smoking as an addiction, optimism, and resilience. Health and well-being encompassed physical health, mental health, and financial stability. Women often felt that stability in these key areas made a successful attempt possible. Women with successful quit attempts were more likely to consider tobacco use as an addiction, as well as expressed optimism about their quit attempts. Women with successful quit attempts also demonstrated more resilience to lapses and relapses.ConclusionsWomen Veterans’ quit smoking attempts demonstrate four main themes: baseline health and wellbeing, acknowledging smoking as an addiction, the participant’s optimism towards quitting, and resilience. Patterns were observed within themes with respect to whether the woman was currently quit or had experienced a prolonged quit attempt in the past. Further research is needed to help women Veterans quit smoking.

Highlights

Tobacco use is the number one cause of death and disability of women in the United States, and our women Veteran population is disproportionately affected
Some racial and ethnic minorities, rural populations, individuals with mental health or substance use disorders, and Veterans are among the populations that continue to smoke at higher rates than the general population [3]
Study sample and recruitment Women Veterans were identified as potential participants based on positive answers to routine tobacco use screening questions asked during clinical visits to Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals or clinics, between January 2013 and June 2015

Summary

Introduction

Tobacco use is the number one cause of death and disability of women in the United States, and our women Veteran population is disproportionately affected. Despite revisions to the Veterans Affairs’ approach to smoking cessation, women continue to smoke at equal or higher rates than men, are prescribed cessation medications less frequently, and are less likely to quit. In this qualitative pilot study, individual interviews with women Veterans revealed their experiences with smoking cessation attempts. Tobacco use is the number one cause of preventable death and disability in the United States [1] and costs the U.S nearly $300 billion in direct medical expenses and lost productivity [2].

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