Physician assessment of patient smoking in Indonesia: a public health priority
Nawi Ng1, Yayi Suryo Prabandari, Retna Siwi Padmawati
1Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Gadjah Mada University, IKM Building 3rd Floor, Farmako Street, North Sekip, Jogjakarta 55281, Indonesia. ngnawi@yahoo.com
Insights
Indonesian physician smoking rates are low, but most do not routinely ask patients about tobacco use or advise on quitting. Lack of training in smoking cessation is a key barrier for physicians.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Medical Education
- Tobacco Control
Background:
- Physician smoking behaviors and attitudes are crucial for effective patient smoking cessation interventions.
- Understanding these factors in Indonesia is vital for developing targeted public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate smoking behaviors among Indonesian physicians.
- To assess their attitudes towards smoking and clinical practices regarding smoking cessation.
- To identify factors influencing physicians' engagement in smoking cessation activities.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 447 physicians in Jogjakarta Province, Indonesia.
- Data collected included physician demographics, smoking status, attitudes towards smoking, and patient counseling practices.
- Statistical analysis identified predictors for patient smoking status inquiry and cessation advice.
Main Results:
- 22% of male and 1% of female physicians were current smokers.
- A significant majority (72%) did not routinely inquire about patients' smoking status.
- Most physicians (80%) held the misconception that smoking up to 10 cigarettes daily was not harmful.
Conclusions:
- Inadequate training in smoking cessation is a primary impediment to physicians actively helping patients quit smoking.
- There is a critical need to educate Indonesian physicians on the importance of inquiring about tobacco use and providing cessation support.
Objective:
To explore Indonesian physician's smoking behaviours, their attitudes and clinical practices towards smoking cessation.
Design:
Cross-sectional survey.
Setting:
Physicians working in Jogjakarta Province, Indonesia, between October and December 2003.
Subjects:
447 of 690 (65%) physicians with clinical responsibilities responded to the survey (236 men, 211 women), of which 15% were medical faculty, 35% residents and 50% community physicians.
Results:
22% of male (n = 50) and 1% of female (n = 2) physicians were current smokers. Approximately 72% of physicians did not routinely ask about their patient's smoking status. A majority of physicians (80%) believed that smoking up to 10 cigarettes a day was not harmful for health. The predictors for asking patients about smoking were being male, a non-smoker and a medical resident. The odds of advising patients to quit were significantly greater among physicians who perceived themselves as sufficiently trained in smoking cessation.
Conclusions:
Lack of training in smoking cessation seems to be a major obstacle to physicians actively engaging in smoking cessation activities. Indonesian physicians need to be educated on the importance of routinely asking their patients about their tobacco use and offering practical advice on how to quit smoking.
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