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. 2023 Jun 15;18(1):33.
doi: 10.1186/s13011-023-00543-0.

Awareness and utilization of smoking cessation clinics in Saudi Arabia, findings from the 2019 Global Adult Tobacco Survey

Sarah S Monshi  1 , Abdullah M M Alanazi  2   3 , Ali M Alzahrani  4 , Abdulrhman A Alzhrani  4 , Turky J Arbaein  4 , Khulud K Alharbi  4 , Mansour Z Alqahtani  5 , Ali H Alzahrani  5 , Ahmed A Elkhobby  5 , Aljoharah M Almazrou  5 , Abdulmohsen H Al-Zalabani  6
Affiliations

Awareness and utilization of smoking cessation clinics in Saudi Arabia, findings from the 2019 Global Adult Tobacco Survey

Sarah S Monshi et al. Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy. .

Abstract

Background: Tobacco use remains a leading cause of premature death. To combat tobacco use, the Ministry of Health (MOH) improved access to smoking cessation clinics (SCCs) by developing fixed SCCs and mobile SCCs, which move based on demand across locations. The goal of this study was to investigate awareness and utilization of SCCs among tobacco users in Saudi Arabia and the factors that influence their awareness and utilization.

Method: This cross-sectional study used the 2019 Global Adult Tobacco Survey. Three outcome variables were employed, including tobacco users' awareness of fixed SCCs, mobile SCCs, and utilization of fixed SCCs. Several independent variables were examined, including sociodemographic characteristics and tobacco use. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results: One thousand six hundred sixty-seven tobacco users were included in this study. There were 60%, 26%, and 9% of tobacco users who were aware of fixed SCCs, aware of mobile SCCs, and visited fixed SCCs, respectively. The likelihood of being aware of SCCs increased among users residing in urban areas (fixed SCCs: OR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.31-2.68; mobile SCCs: OR = 2.09; CI = 1.37-3.17) while it decreased among those reported self-employed (fixed SCCs: OR = 0.31; CI = 0.17-0.56; mobile SCCs: OR = 0.42; CI = 0.20-0.89). The likelihood of visiting fixed SCCs increased among educated tobacco users aged 25-34 (OR = 5.61; CI = 1.73-18.21) and 35-44 (OR = 4.22; CI = 1.07-16.64) while the odds of visiting SCCs decreased among those who were working in the private sector (OR = 0.26; CI = 0.09-0.73).

Conclusion: The decision to quit smoking must be supported by an effective healthcare system that provides accessible and affordable smoking cessation services. Knowing the factors that influence the awareness and utilization of SCCs would help policymakers dedicate efforts targeting those who desire to quit smoking yet face limitations in using SCCs.

Keywords: Saudi Arabia; Smoking cessation; Smoking cessation services; Tobacco use.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Regional distribution of tobacco users in relation to awareness and utilization of smoking cessation clinics using 2019 GATS, Saudi Arabia
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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