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Study of smoking behavior in asbestos workers
Omowunmi Y O Osinubi1, Aboaba A Afilaka, John Doucette
1Division of Environmental and Occupational Health, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-School of Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Piscataway, New Jersey 08854, USA. oosinubi@eohsi.rutgers.edu
Background:
Asbestos exposure and concomitant cigarette smoking markedly increase the risk of lung cancer and contribute to the prevalence and severity of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis.
Methods:
A cross-sectional survey of 214 asbestos workers was initiated to determine the prevalence of smoking and their readiness to quit smoking using the stage of change theory.
Results:
The study was comprised of 61 never smokers (28.5%), 118 ex-smokers (55.1%), and 35 current smokers (16.4%). Reasons for smoking cessation in ex-smokers included perception of ill-health (51%) and knowledge of smoking-asbestos hazards (3.4%). Stage of change of current smokers revealed: precontemplation (26.5%), contemplation (35%), preparation (29%), and action (8.8%). Current smokers had the highest prevalence of small airway obstruction on spirometry.
Conclusions:
A detailed smoking history during medical surveillance activities will enable the occupational physician to identify asbestos workers who have difficulty quitting and to develop a system in which such individuals can be referred to comprehensive smoking cessation programs.