Extended parallel process model (EPPM) in evaluating lung Cancer risk perception among older smokers

Background There is a lack of scientific literature on the application of fear appeals theories to evaluate lung cancer risk perception among smokers. The aim of the present study is to apply the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM) to discover the perception of the smokers about their lifetime risk of developing lung cancer (perceived susceptibility), their perception of lung cancer survival (perceived severity), response efficacy, self-efficacy, and readiness to quit. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 215 eligible smokers (aged 45 years and over who have smoked at least 1 pack per day in the last 5 years) were recruited. The data collection tool was designed using validate self-report questionnaires and it was contained items on the perceived risk of a smoker contracting lung cancer and perceived lung cancer survival rate. It also had questions to measure the main constructs of the EPPM and Readiness to quit (“Low_Readiness”, and “High_Readiness”). To test how the data support conceptual EPPM to data, Generalized Structural Equation Modeling (GSEM) was used. Results Findings showed a significant relationship between Perceived_Susceptibility and Perceived_Response Efficacy; (B = 1.16, P < 0.001); between Perceived_Susceptibility and Perceived_Self Efficacy, (B = -0.93, P < 0.001), Perceived_Severity, and Perceived_Response Efficacy (B = 1.07, P < 0.001). There was also a significant relationship between Perceived_Threat and Perceived_Response Efficacy; between Perceived_Threat and Perceived_Self Efficacy. The relationship between High_Readiness and Perceived_Self Efficacy, and between High_Readiness and Perceived_Severity also were significant. However, the relationships between High_Readiness and Perceived_Threat were not significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion Perceived_threat and Perceived_efficacy were important for smokers with low readiness to quit, while Perceived_efficacy was most important for smokers with high readiness to quit. These findings could be used in promoting lung cancer awareness and designing smoking cessation programs based on smokers’ stages of change.

Not Ready to Kwit? A Mobile App Preparation Program for Smoking Cessation: Assessing Feasibility in Ecological Context

Aim: The main purpose of this feasibility study was to estimate compliance and acceptability rate of a 9-Steps mobile app preparation program. Subsequently, to assess its impact regarding attitudes towards smoking cessation. Methods: The program was only available on versions above iOS 13.3. The ecological study collected user&rsquo;s data via the app from 04/07/2021 to 28/07/2021. Results: A total of 2331 ecological users completed onboarding; 1926 users (73.9%) completed the step 0 and only 265 users continued in step 1. On average, participants actively engaged with intra-steps activities (85,1%). Most users were highly satisfied at the end of each step. On average 86% found the content of each step comprehensive and relevant. Mann-Whitney tests demonstrated positive changes in attitudes toward smoking cessation on the less confident users: willing (3 to 5, p &lt;.05); confidence (3 to 5, p &lt;.001) and readiness to quit (3 to 5, p &lt;.001). Conclusions: This ecological study corroborates the expected dropout between first use and regular use of health mobile apps. However, engagement and satisfaction rates support the feasibility and acceptability of a 9-step preparation program. Additional research is needed to better understand determinants of regular use of mobile apps and its impact on the target behavior.

Identifying Behavior Change Techniques Used in Tobacco Cessation Interventions by Oral Health Professionals and Their Relation to Intervention Effects—A Review of the Scientific Literature

This review aimed to identify the behavioral change techniques (BCTs) used in behavioral interventions for tobacco cessation at dental practices in relation to their effect on tobacco use. Six scientific databases were searched for behavior change interventions for tobacco cessation and were coded using the BCT taxonomy of behavioral support for smoking cessation (BCTTsm). Fifteen interventions were identified, and data related to intervention characteristics were abstracted. Sixteen BCTs were identified, mainly related to increased motivation and teaching regulatory skills. Goal setting was the most commonly used BCT. Ten out of fifteen interventions effectively impacted tobacco cessation outcomes (OR = 2 to 5.25). Effective interventions more frequently included goal setting, written materials, readiness to quit and ability assessment, tobacco-use assessment, self-efficacy boost, listing reasons for quitting, action planning and environment restructuring. Other BCTs were not clearly associated with an increased effect. Among the behavioral interventions, certain techniques were associated with successful tobacco quitting. Tobacco cessation interventions in a dental setting appear to benefit from using BCTs that increase motivation and teach regulatory skills. The identified BCTs in this review could provide a source to better inform researchers and dentists about the active ingredients in behavior change interventions for tobacco cessation in a dental setting.

Relationships among Self-Efficacy, Quality of Life, Perceived Vulnerability, and Readiness to Quit Smoking in People Living with HIV

Smoking-related diseases (e.g., lung cancer) are the leading cause of mortality in HIV-infected patients. While many PLWH who smoke report a desire to quit, a majority of them have low readiness to quit. This study used logistic and linear regression to examine the relations among two (continuous vs. binary) measures of readiness to quit, smoking cessation self-efficacy (SE), quality of life (QoL), and perceived vulnerability (PV) using baseline data from 100 PLWH who smoke who participated in a clinical trial. Results showed no significant main effects (SE, QoL, and PV) or interaction effects ( SE × QoL and SE × PV ) on a continuous measure of readiness to quit. However, a follow-up analysis revealed that SE had a curvilinear effect on readiness to quit such that self-efficacy was positively associated with readiness to quit except at the highest levels of self-efficacy where readiness to quit declined. Greater SE significantly increased the likelihood of reporting readiness to quit (yes/no) among those with low QoL or high PV. For PLWH who smoke, improving self-efficacy may increase readiness to quit especially among those with lower quality of life. Psychoeducation tailored to PLWH designed to reduce unrealistic invulnerability to smoking-related diseases along with interventions that target self-efficacy may improve readiness to quit.

Important aspects of effective treatment of nicotine dependence in patients with diabetes mellitus

Purpose. Increasing the importance and effectiveness of nicotine addiction treatment in patients with diabetes mellitus.Materials and methods. A study of nicotine addiction in patients with type II diabetes mellitus was carried out on the basis of the Department of Endocrinology of the Samara State Medical University Clinics in 2019. The psychological study included 60 men aged 45-60 who are undergoing planned treatment in the endocrinology department for type II diabetes mellitus. Psychological research included: conversation, study of the type of attitude towards illness (TOBOL), study of adherence to treatment (Moriska – Green Compliance Scale). Work with tobacco dependence was carried out according to the WHO recommendations according to the “5 A” principle [14]. Work with patients was carried out in the key of rational, behavioral and gestalt therapy.Results and discussion. In total, 24 group meetings were held – 12 group meetings in each polyclinic group of 26 people. The results obtained showed a decrease in the number of patients with a low level of physical wellbeing, psychological well-being, optimism, self-confidence, and readiness to quit smoking. Along with this, there was an increase in the number of patients with a high level of physical well-being, psychological well-being, optimism), readiness to quit smoking. As for compliance, the overall picture has also improved: there were 39 highly adherent patients among the studied (an increase from 10 % to 75 %), moderately adherent – 13 (a decrease from 73.3 % to 25 %), weakly adherent no (there were 16.7 %).Conclusions. Psychological support of nicotine-dependent patients with diabetes mellitus must necessarily include educational work with patients, work with increasing the level of self-control of the disease and adherence to treatment, with a psychoemotional state. It is optimal to include patients with diabetes mellitus in the group psychotherapeutic process in order to provide mutual assistance and receive effective support in the treatment of tobacco smoking and raise the consciousness of patients in relation to the prevention of complications of diabetes mellitus, and to the disease itself in general.

Psychosocial Factors, Smoke-Free Restrictions, and Media Exposure in Relation to Smoking-Related Attitudes and Behaviors among Adults in Armenia and Georgia

Background: Perceived harm, social influences, smoke-free policies, and media exposure have been understudied in relation to tobacco-related attitudes/behaviors in aggregate or in low and middle-income countries; thus, this study examined these factors collectively in relation to smoking-related outcomes among Armenian and Georgian adults. Methods: Using 2018 cross-sectional survey data (n = 1456), multivariable regression analyses examined these factors in relation to smoking status, perceived harm among nonsmokers, and readiness to quit and past-year quit attempts among smokers. Results: Significant predictors (p < 0.05) of current smoking (27.3%) included lower perceived harm, more smoking friends, and fewer home and vehicle restrictions. Among nonsmokers, more home and restaurant/bar restrictions, fewer vehicle restrictions, greater anti-tobacco media exposure, and less pro-tobacco media exposure predicted greater perceived harm. Among smokers, greater perceived social acceptability of smoking, less anti-tobacco media exposure, and greater pro-tobacco media exposure predicted readiness to quit (12.7% of smokers). More smoking friends, more home restrictions, less anti-tobacco media exposure, and greater pro-tobacco media exposure predicted past-year quit attempts (19.2%). Conclusions: Findings support the importance of smoke-free policies but were counterintuitive regarding the roles of social and media influences, underscoring the need to better understand how to address these influences, particularly in countries with high smoking rates.

The Effectiveness Analysis of ‘Quit-Calendar’ Related to Current Smokers under ‘Quit-For-King’ Project (Phase II)

ackground: Quit-Calendar has been developed and initially tested in Phase I for the Quit-For-King project. The effectiveness and satisfaction of its properties were later investigated among village health volunteers. Objective: To investigate the Quit-Calendar effectiveness, factors related to quit success, and its satisfaction under the ‘Quit-For-King’ Project. Materials and Methods: One hundred eleven current smokers underwent the program. Each participant needed to go ‘cold turkey’ technique, which mean to stop smoking at once, then received 5A counseling and a Quit-Calendar. The measuring parameters included continuous abstinence rate (CAR) and point prevalence abstinence rate (PAR), investigated at 2-weeks, 1-, 3-, and 6- month periods via statistical analysis. Results: Most of the participants were males (96.4%), smoked 10 cigarettes per day (53%), heavy smokers. They were mostly in ‘preparation stage’ of change (49%). CAR was 26.11% and PAR values increased by the end of the 6-month. There were statistically significant differences between the numbers of quitters using Quit-Calendar (p<0.001). Only three factors, including numbers of cigarettes, minor illness, and levels of readiness to quit significantly affected quit success (p<0.001). The smokers stated that the Quit-Calendar could possibly help them to quit smoking. Nonetheless, some limitations need to be resolved. Conclusion: Quit-For-King project has been successful over a 3-year period. The Quit-Calendar is one of the cessation aids that promote quit success and help quitters to overcome nicotine withdrawal. Keywords: Quit-For-King, Quit-Calendar, Continuous abstinence rate (CAR), Point prevalence abstinence rate (PAR), Village health volunteers