Factors affecting smoking initiation and cessation among adult smokers in Fiji: A qualitative study
Introduction Smoking as a public health challenge is globally considered the main risk factor of many non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Knowing factors contributing to smoking commencement and cessation is the necessary step to develop prevention strategies to combat this issue. To date, no study ha...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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European Publishing
2021-12-01
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| Series: | Tobacco Induced Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.tobaccoinduceddiseases.org/Factors-affecting-smoking-initiation-and-cessation-among-nadult-smokers-in-Fiji-A,143027,0,2.html |
| _version_ | 1811273345201602560 |
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| author | Masoud Mohammadnezhad Mondha Kengganpanich |
| author_facet | Masoud Mohammadnezhad Mondha Kengganpanich |
| author_sort | Masoud Mohammadnezhad |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction
Smoking as a public health challenge is globally considered the
main risk factor of many non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Knowing factors
contributing to smoking commencement and cessation is the necessary step to
develop prevention strategies to combat this issue. To date, no study has been
conducted in Fiji, therefore this study aimed to explore the reasons adult smokers
initiate smoking and cessation in Fiji.
Methods
A qualitative study was conducted among 35 current smokers who were
interviewed between 1 May and 31 July 2020 in Suva, Fiji. Three health centers
were chosen randomly to collect data and purposive sampling was applied to
reach study participants. A semi-structured, open-ended questionnaire was used
to guide the interviews. The content of in-depth interviews was transcribed and
data were analyzed using content and thematic analysis.
Results
The results of this study showed that most of the participants were male
(57%), I-taukei (77%), single (54%), had attained tertiary education level (69%),
were of Christian religion (77%), and unemployed (63%). Two main themes were
identified including: ‘factors affecting smoking initiation’ and ‘factors affecting
smoking cessation’. ‘Peer pressure’, ‘smoking myth’, ‘smoking as a fun’, ‘unpleasant
event in life’ and ‘smoking establishes friendships’ were factors affecting initiation
of smoking; while ‘knowledge on smoking harms’, ‘financial constraints’, ‘desire
to improve health’, ‘constant request from family members’, ‘desire to save time’,
‘religious factors’ and ‘cultural factors’, were factors affecting smoking cessation
among smokers.
Conclusions
This study highlights the main factors affecting smoking among adult
smokers in Fiji. Considering these factors in future health planning will help
policy makers and decision makers to develop tailored interventions to combat
this health issue. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-12T22:57:27Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-00c46dfa30ae46a18247501118e4f7de |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1617-9625 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-12T22:57:27Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
| publisher | European Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Tobacco Induced Diseases |
| spelling | doaj.art-00c46dfa30ae46a18247501118e4f7de2022-12-22T03:13:08ZengEuropean PublishingTobacco Induced Diseases1617-96252021-12-0119December11010.18332/tid/143027143027Factors affecting smoking initiation and cessation among adult smokers in Fiji: A qualitative studyMasoud Mohammadnezhad0https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5048-9719Mondha Kengganpanich1School of Public Health and Primary Care, Fiji National University, Suva, FijiDepartment of Health Education and Behavioral Sciences, Faculty of Public Health, Mahidol University, Bangkok, ThailandIntroduction Smoking as a public health challenge is globally considered the main risk factor of many non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Knowing factors contributing to smoking commencement and cessation is the necessary step to develop prevention strategies to combat this issue. To date, no study has been conducted in Fiji, therefore this study aimed to explore the reasons adult smokers initiate smoking and cessation in Fiji. Methods A qualitative study was conducted among 35 current smokers who were interviewed between 1 May and 31 July 2020 in Suva, Fiji. Three health centers were chosen randomly to collect data and purposive sampling was applied to reach study participants. A semi-structured, open-ended questionnaire was used to guide the interviews. The content of in-depth interviews was transcribed and data were analyzed using content and thematic analysis. Results The results of this study showed that most of the participants were male (57%), I-taukei (77%), single (54%), had attained tertiary education level (69%), were of Christian religion (77%), and unemployed (63%). Two main themes were identified including: ‘factors affecting smoking initiation’ and ‘factors affecting smoking cessation’. ‘Peer pressure’, ‘smoking myth’, ‘smoking as a fun’, ‘unpleasant event in life’ and ‘smoking establishes friendships’ were factors affecting initiation of smoking; while ‘knowledge on smoking harms’, ‘financial constraints’, ‘desire to improve health’, ‘constant request from family members’, ‘desire to save time’, ‘religious factors’ and ‘cultural factors’, were factors affecting smoking cessation among smokers. Conclusions This study highlights the main factors affecting smoking among adult smokers in Fiji. Considering these factors in future health planning will help policy makers and decision makers to develop tailored interventions to combat this health issue.http://www.tobaccoinduceddiseases.org/Factors-affecting-smoking-initiation-and-cessation-among-nadult-smokers-in-Fiji-A,143027,0,2.htmldeterminantssmoking initiationsmoking cessationqualitative studyfiji |
| spellingShingle | Masoud Mohammadnezhad Mondha Kengganpanich Factors affecting smoking initiation and cessation among adult smokers in Fiji: A qualitative study Tobacco Induced Diseases determinants smoking initiation smoking cessation qualitative study fiji |
| title | Factors affecting smoking initiation and cessation among
adult smokers in Fiji: A qualitative study |
| title_full | Factors affecting smoking initiation and cessation among
adult smokers in Fiji: A qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Factors affecting smoking initiation and cessation among
adult smokers in Fiji: A qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors affecting smoking initiation and cessation among
adult smokers in Fiji: A qualitative study |
| title_short | Factors affecting smoking initiation and cessation among
adult smokers in Fiji: A qualitative study |
| title_sort | factors affecting smoking initiation and cessation among adult smokers in fiji a qualitative study |
| topic | determinants smoking initiation smoking cessation qualitative study fiji |
| url | http://www.tobaccoinduceddiseases.org/Factors-affecting-smoking-initiation-and-cessation-among-nadult-smokers-in-Fiji-A,143027,0,2.html |
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