Abstract

ZYLBERSZTEJN, Horacio M. et al. Smoking among Physicians in Argentina: The TAMARA Trial. Rev. argent. cardiol. [online]. 2007, vol.75, n.2, pp.109-116. ISSN 1850-3748.

Objective To assess the smoking habit in a sample of physicians of Argentina, the factors that favor tobacco consumption and physicians attitude regarding their patients who smoke. Material and methods This was an observational cross-sectional study which included physicians of Argentina, randomly selected from April through July 2004. The following data were analyzed: smoking prevalence, coronary risk factors, body mass index, physical activity, history of vascular events, family history of coronary heart disease and smoking, whether they had received smoking cessation training and whether they provided counseling and prescribed specific drugs for smoking cessation. Results A total of 6.497 physicians were surveyed (63% were male; mean age was 41.5 ± 10 years). Among the overall group, 30.0% were smokers and 22.4% were ex-smokers. The prevalence of smokers was higher among physicians working in emergency areas (p < 0.0001) and surgical specialties (p < 0.00001), with an addictive conduct profile, who were less likely to counsel patients to quit smoking (p < 0.00001). Physicians who had received some type of smoking cessation training (31.3%) were more likely to advise their patients to quit and prescribe specific drugs for smoking cessation (p < 0.00001). Ex smokers had a greater prevalence of coronary risk factors, acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and revascularization (p < 0.00001). Smokers and ex-smokers were more likely to have a family history of smoking (p < 0.001). Conclusions The prevalence of physicians who smoke is high, and is even higher among physicians who work in emergency and surgery services, who give their patients less anti-smoking advice. Physicians who had received smoking cessation training were more likely to provide advice and drugs for smoking cessation; hence the need to further promote medical training in this area.

Keywords : Smoking; Epidemiology; Physicians; Vascular risk factors.

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