[Attitudes and knowledge about smoking among Moroccan physicians looking after patients with tuberculosis]

Cigarette smoking is known to be a risk factor for the development of pulmonary tuberculosis; the management of the disease offers a good opportunity for smoking prevention. The aim of this study was to evaluate attitudes and knowledge of Moroccan respiratory physicians towards smoking in the management of patients with tuberculosis and the feasibility of integrating anti-smoking interventions into the national anti-TB program (PNLAT). A questionnaire was administered using a phone interview to Moroccan respiratory physicians practicing at the Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diagnostic Centre (CDTMR). 75 respiratory physicians answered the questionnaire representing 83.3% of all those approached. The rate of smoking in medical doctors was 10.7%. 66.7% of those interviewed considered that smoking increases the incidence of tuberculosis while 96% believed that smoking would worsen the pathology. More than 84% inquired about the smoking habits of their patients. Only 5.3% believed that they were well trained to help smokers to stop. 78.7% recognized the desirability of integrating a systematic smoking cessation program into the national anti-TB strategy. The rate of smoking among patients with TB is considered high by Moroccan doctors caring for the condition. However, they do not feel that they are sufficiently trained in smoking cessation techniques to help their patients. Therefore, education on smoking cessation needs to be integrated into the national anti-TB strategy.