PHS92 - Beliefs In The Effectiveness Of Smoking Cessation Interventions Among Male Saudi College Students

Abstract

Several pharmacological and behavioral interventions have been implemented to help smokers with smoking cessation efforts. However, smoking still persists as there may be a lack of belief in the effectiveness of these interventions. The objective of this study was to identify predictors that affect belief in the effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions among male Saudi college students. A non-experimental cross-sectional study of male college students was conducted in two cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A pre-tested, validated survey was used to evaluate factors affecting beliefs in the effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions, such as socio-demographics, academic performance, and status of smoking. Beliefs about cessation medications or behavioral cessation programs were assessed via a pre-validated Likert scale. Data was collected between December 2011 and January 2012. Descriptive and regression analyses were conducted. A total of 337 surveys were received (response rate of 36.6%). About 31% of respondents were self-identified smokers. The average age of respondents was 22.6 (±2.2) years. The majority of respondents were single (97%) with incomes less than $3200 per year (79%). A multiple regression analysis indicated a positive relationship between skepticism about the effectiveness of smoking cessation medication and current smokers (current smokers, ß=0.8 p<0.001), after controlling for socio-demographics and academic performance variables. We also found the same opinions held true regarding behaviorally based education programs. This shows a significant association of disagreement about the effectiveness of smoking cessation efforts among current smokers (current smokers, ß=0.47p=0.008), after controlling for the same variables. This study shows that there is a significant negative perception among smokers regarding behavioral and pharmacological smoking cessation programs. Implementing education campaigns might be helpful for improving the perception and reciprocally the utilization of such programs. Understanding the smoking population’s perspective, does help appropriate adoption of current and future programs.