Smoking behavior among nurses in rural Greece.

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Nursing Research
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Rural healthcare providers may face higher risks of tobacco addiction.
• Limited research exists on habitual tobacco use among healthcare professionals in rural Greece.
• No studies have specifically addressed smoking among nurses in rural Greece or their cessation knowledge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of smoking among nurses in rural Greece.
• To assess nurses' knowledge and attitudes regarding smoking cessation.
• To identify potential targets for smoking cessation interventions in this population.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire-based study was conducted across 40 health centers in rural mainland and island Greece.
• A total of 220 nurses participated, yielding a 65% response rate.
• Data collected included smoking status, former smoking status, and smoking cessation training received.

Main Results:

• 32% of nurse respondents reported being current smokers.
• 54% were non-smokers, and 14% were former smokers.
• A low percentage (8%) of respondents had received training in assisting clients with smoking cessation.

Conclusions:

• A substantial proportion of nurses in rural Greece are smokers.
• There is a critical need for enhanced smoking cessation training programs for nurses in rural settings.
• Addressing smoking among healthcare providers is essential for improving public health outcomes in rural communities.