The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective:

The objective of the study is to evaluate:.

• Number of smokers and kind of smoking habits • Knowledge level and adherance to anti-tobacco rules • Hospital staff's acceptance of a smoke-free hospital

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, randomized and descriptive study .Participants were health care professionals, administratives and technicians, all of hospital's staff. We used an anonymous -unique questionnaire which we developed for this study. The data processing was made with SPSS Win statistical software. From 1389 questionnaires, there were 65% female, and 35% male. Rejections were not reported. We divided hospital staff in groups and determined number of smokers in each group: physicians, nurses, technicians, and administratives. Then, smokers were classified according their tobacco's habits as : daily smokers, occasional smokers and no smoking people. Among daily smokers we described prevalence connected with their function in the hospital. All participants were asked about health damage produced by environmental tobacco smoke ( ETS) and if they agreed with smoking prohibition at the hospitals and health centers. Finally, they were also asked about approving and participating in a smoke-free hospital program.

Results: Groups that participate in the study have a smoking rate similar to general population. There are no statistical differences in prevalence depending on the work position in the hospital. We found that knowledge about health ETS injury is connected with the kind of smoker. More than 90% agrees that smoking in the hospitals must be forbidden. There is general assent about accepting non-smoking rules and participating in a smoke -free hospital program