Smoking remains a reality among health
professionals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the
smoking behaviour of health care workers in the district
hospitals of Ouagadougou.
Methodology:
This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and
analytical study conducted from 1 April 2021 to 31 May
2021 using an anonymous self-administered
questionnaire. Data were entered and analysed using
Epi-info software version 7.2.2.6. Relationships between
variables were considered statistically significant at the
p<0.05 probability level.
Results:
A total of 246 caregivers participated in the study.
The prevalence of smokers was 7.3%, all male. The mean
age of smokers was 49.1 years. Cigarettes were the type
of tobacco used. Stress and the influence of a smoking
environment were the main reasons for smoking
initiation. Half of the smokers smoked in the workplace.
Passive smoking concerned 24.6% of non-smokers.
Length of service (p=0.01), professional category
(p=0.007), male gender (p=0) and age of smokers
(p=0.007) were statistically related to smoking.
Conclusion:
Increased awareness is essential to avoid smoking
by caregivers. This would avoid discrediting them among
the population and increase the effectiveness of tobacco
control
Keywords :
Smoking, Caregiver, Hospital, Ouagadougou