Obstetricians, gynecologists and the anti-smoking campaign: a national survey.

OBJECTIVE

To asses the role Jordanian obstetricians and gynecologists play as tobacco cessation counsellors through examining their smoking status, opinions on health risks, factors that influence tobacco use and their perceived barriers to providing effective counselling.

METHODS

The setting is a tertiary referral university hospital. A pre-tested postal questionnaire survey was mailed to all 462 licensed obstetricians and gynecologists in Jordan. Descriptive statistics were generated and statistical significance was determined by the chi2-test.

RESULTS

Of 392 respondents, 37.9% were smokers. Most associated smoking with low birth weight and sudden infant death syndrome. Fewer associated smoking with infertility, ectopic pregnancy, placenta praevia, abruptio placentae and cancer of the uterine cervix. Friends, stress, parents' attitude, genetic predisposition, income and education were implicated factors for smoking. Current smokers were more likely to permit smoking in their practices. Non-smokers were most inclined to record their patients' tobacco habits. Only 54.3% provided cessation counselling. Lack of time and inadequate training were perceived barriers.

CONCLUSIONS

A high proportion of obstetricians and gynecologists are smokers. A training program is needed to equip health workers with the skills necessary for the implementation of a successful anti-smoking campaign.