Predictors of Intention to Quit Smoking in the Korean Navy Smokers

Kim, Kyoung Mi; Lee, Jae Young

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study was to investigate predictors associated with the intention to quit smoking in smokers from the Korean navy.
METHODS
The study population consisted of 290 smokers from the navy. Data were collected from July 1 to July 10, 2013 and analyzed using the chi2 test, t-test, and logistic regression analysis. Three instruments-'Stages of Change of Smoking Cessation Measure', 'Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependency' and 'Self-Efficacy for Smoking Cessation'-were used.
RESULTS
The 57.9% of smokers had intentions to stop smoking. Logistic regression analysis showed that the following significant factors were related to intention to quit smoking: age at starting smoking (odds ratio [OR]=1.23, P=0.002), previous attempts to quit (OR=2.74, P=0.001), self-efficacy for smoking cessation (OR=1.05, P=0.045), and nicotine dependence (OR=0.79, P=0.04).
CONCLUSIONS
Most of the smokers in the navy started smoking in adolescence; thus community and school-based smoking prevention education could be very important. In addition, it is necessary to develop interventions to encourage those with failed past attempts to try quitting smoking again.