Knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of patients with chronic diseases about smoking and use of Maras powder

Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to find out the frequency of smoking and use of Maras powder, which are commonly used in our region, among patients with chronic disease and evaluate knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of patients with chronic disease about smoking and use of Maras powder.Material and Methods:A total of 859 patients with a chronic disease admitted to 12 Family Health Centers in Kahramanmaras were included in the study. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, asthma, and heart diseases were among included chronic disease. There were 15 questions used to evaluate knowledge of smoking. Results: Ages of participants ranged between 18 and 86 years, with a mean age of 45.7±14.1 years (min.=18, max.=86). Among 859 participants 481 (56.0%) were male and 378 (44.0%) were female. Two-hundred and nine patients (24.3%) were regular smokers, 24 patients (2.8%) were occasional smokers, 222 patients (25.8%) were ex-smokers and 404 patients (47.0%) were never smokers. 81 patients (9.4%) were using Maras powder and 18 patients (2.1%) were both smoking and using Maras powder. There was not a significant relation between smoking and Maras powder use. Conclusion: Obtained findings revealed that smoking and use of Maras powder were quite common among chronic disease patients who need to be free from tobacco products use. Furthermore, knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of these patients were detected to be insufficient.