Evaluating the effectiveness of a smoking cessation intervention designed for nurses

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Professionals
• Public Health
• Addiction Medicine

Background:

• Smoking remains a significant health concern among healthcare professionals.
• Nurses, including students, are a critical workforce often exposed to smoking-related stressors.
• Effective smoking cessation interventions tailored to this demographic are essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of an individualized smoking cessation intervention.
• To assess the intervention's impact on qualified nurses and student nurses in Northern Ireland.

Main Methods:

• A comparative study design was employed.
• Participants were nurses (qualified and student) in Northern Ireland.
• The intervention group received an individualized approach, while the comparison group did not.

Main Results:

• Continuous abstinence was objectively verified using salivary cotinine measurements at 6 months and 1 year.
• 24% of nurses in the intervention group achieved continuous abstinence.
• 7% of nurses in the comparison group achieved continuous abstinence, a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• The individualized approach to smoking cessation is effective for motivated nurses.
• This method offers a viable strategy for improving smoking cessation rates within the nursing profession.
• Further implementation of tailored interventions for nurses is recommended.