Determining the relationship between smoking behavior, the determinants of smoking cessation, and health literacy in male healthcare professionals

In this study, it was aimed to determine the relationship between smoking behavior, determinants of smoking cessation, and health literacy among male health workers. This cross-sectional study was completed with 250 male health workers, aged 18 and over, working in primary and secondary healthcare institutions in Merzifon, Suluova and Gümüşhacıköy affiliated to Amasya Provincial Health Directorate between June and August 2021. Turkish Health Literacy Scale-32 and Fagerström Nicotine Addiction Test were used to collect research data. The data of the study were evaluated using the SPSS 22.0 program using percentile, mean, chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, and Anowa, the Kruskal Wallis H test and Mann Whitney U Test for data that did not show normal distribution, using binary logistic regression and linear regression analysis. In evaluations, p<0,05 value was considered statistically significant. The health literacy general index score average of the research group was 41.1±5.1. It was determined that the level of health literacy was sufficient with a rate of 50.8%, this rate was 48.9% in smokers and 53.5% in non-smokers. The health literacy level of male health workers who smoked was the highest in those with postgraduate education (p<0.000), and it was found to be higher in the physician/dentist group compared to other titles (p<0.000). The mean Fagerström nicotine addiction score of the smokers was found to be 3.2±2.7. A statistically significant negative correlation was determined between nicotine addiction scores and the age of first smoking (p<0.000). It has been determined that 55% of male health workers who smoke are low, 25.5% are moderately addicted to nicotine, and 19.5% are highly addicted to nicotine. It was observed that 44.4% of those who stated their perception of health as moderate were highly addicted to nicotine (p<0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between the reasons for smoking due to loneliness, stress, anger and nicotine addiction levels (p<0.05). It was determined that smokers did not find tobacco policies a deterrent (p<0.05), and 39.5% of those with low self-efficacy to quit smoking were highly addicted to nicotine (p<0.05). It was determined that 51.4% of the participants with excellent health literacy levels and 42.9% of those who were competent could not quit smoking within two months (p<0.000). As a result, it has been determined that the low awareness of smoking and the risks of quitting smoking in male healthcare workers is affected by health literacy levels.