The aim of the study is to determine differences among physicians of various specialities in prevalence of tobacco use and recommendation to their patients in Odessa region (Ukraine). Physicians, especially pediatricians can greatly contribute to tobacco control.
Materials and methods. A sample of represents (40 pediatricians, 40 family doctors and 70 interns), n=150 were selected from the entire number of doctors of the Odessa region. Physicians were asked to respond to standard questions recommended by WHO regarding their own tobacco use and recommendation made to their patients.
The percentage of smokers among the surveyed respondents is unacceptably high for healthcare professionals: 32.5% among pediatricians, 37.5% among family doctors and 50.0% among interns. The majority of smokers were males. Only less then half of smokers had thought about benefits of quitting smoking and seriously attempted to give up smoking. The percentage of smokers who believe that the physician should not smoke due to their professional status is low (58.6% pediatricians, 57.5% family doctors and 27.1% interns). Interns least frequently ask their patients about smoking (52.5% vs 80.0% of pediatricians and 72.5% of family doctors) and write this information in patient records (45.0% vs 65.0% of pediatricians and 70.0% of family doctors). Pediatricians more frequently advise every smoker to quit smoking, spend more than 5 minutes on recommendations (37.5%) and explain in detail the smoking-related risks (67.5%).
Results. Overall, all groups of physicians do a poor job of providing help for their patients to quit smoking. According to the integrated point-based scale, the most active opponents of tobacco use among the respondents were pediatricians. Tobacco control measures need to be promoted in Medical Universities. Smoking of cigarettes by physicians is still higher than what is should be for Health care professionals. Professional physician groups need to encourage their member to quit smoking.