Study of Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices Related to Smoking Among Health Professionals in Public Hospitals in the Department of Dakar in 2021

Abstract

Introduction: In Senegal, previous studies showed a prevalence of smoking among health professionals of between 11.6 and 12.8%. The general objective was to study smoking among health professionals in public hospitals in the department of Dakar. This was a cross-sectional study with a descriptive and analytical aim, the data collection phase of which took place from October 11 to November 23, 2021. The study population consisted of medical and paramedical staff. We collected 262 cases, i.e. a non-participation rate of 12.67%. Results: The average age of the health workers surveyed was 28.19 %. There were 148 men and women with a sex ratio of 1.30. Thus, 68.3% were single. During our study, the health workers at Abass NDAO Hospital were 110 (42%), 80 (30.5%) at the Principal Hospital in Dakar and 72 (27.5%) at HOGGY. The majority of the workers surveyed (69 cases, 26.3%) were DES or 7th year medical students. The least represented professional category was that of nursing assistants. Thus, 3.4% of the health workers surveyed were current tobacco users compared to 10.2% (26 health workers) who were former users. The average age at which these workers first used tobacco was 16.5 ± 2.5 years. Within the study population, 86% (225 workers) had never used tobacco. Smoked tobacco was the only form used by the subjects surveyed. The average consumption of smoked tobacco was 3.5 ± 0.51 times per day. However, the last attempt to quit was more than a year ago for the majority (5/7) of consumer health workers. The main reason for this attempt (failed) was awareness of the dangers of tobacco consumption (5/7). The main reason (05/07) that justified their tobacco consumption was stress management. All the workers surveyed were unanimous on the dangers of tobacco consumption on health. The consequences of tobacco most cited by the health workers surveyed were lung cancer (224 responses or 85.5% of respondents), COPD (205 or 78.24%) and strokes (165 or 62.98%). Male health workers were more likely to have good knowledge about smoking than female health workers. The agents thus surveyed had for 73.7% (i.e. 193 people) of them an insufficient or weak attitude towards smoking. Conclusion: At the end of our study and in light of the conclusions reached, we make the following suggestions to the health authorities: To organize communication-education sessions during World Tobacco Day.