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"Everyone Needs a Breath of Fresh Air": Workplace Impact on Nurses' Smoking Behaviors
Anne Berit Petersen1, Linda Sarna, Mary Rezk-Hanna
1Author Affiliations: School of Nursing, Loma Linda University, California (Dr Petersen); School of Nursing, University of California Los Angeles (Drs Sarna, Rezk-Hana, and Wells); School of Nursing (Dr Bialous) and Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education (Drs Petersen and Bialous), University of California San Francisco; and Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University; General University Hospital; and Society for Treatment of Tobacco Dependence (Ms Nohavova), Prague, Czech Republic.
Background:
Europe continues to have among the highest worldwide prevalence of adult smoking (28%) and the highest among females (19%). Nurses' rates of smoking in the region are comparable or higher than the general female population. Nurses who smoke are less likely to intervene with patients who smoke; therefore, supporting nurses' efforts to quit is critical to promoting nurses' well-being and strengthening the profession's impact on prevention of tobacco-induced diseases.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to explore nurses' perceptions of hospital workplace factors that influence nurses' smoking and quitting behaviors in Central and Eastern Europe.
Methods:
Each country had a project director involved in the recruitment of participants and the translation of instruments. Using a moderator guide, focus groups (N = 9) about smoking and quitting were conducted in 5 countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia) among 82 nurses who self-reported as current or former smokers. Recorded transcripts were translated and analyzed using content analysis methods.
Results:
The majority of nurses were female (94%) and currently smoking (65%). Four major themes were identified that describe workplace factors influencing nurses' smoking behaviors and efforts to quit: (1) taking breaks, (2) effect of smoking on patient interactions, (3) perceived collegial support for quitting, and (4) impact of workplace policies.
Conclusions:
Workplace factors influence nurses smoking and quitting behaviors.
Implications For Practice:
Changes in healthcare systems and policies are needed to support nurses' quit efforts. Additional education is needed to ensure that nurses understand issues related to smoking and interactions with patients.