Workplace Smoking Cessation in Costa Rica: Pilot Study Findings. 2020

Robert H Feldman, and Alfonso Villalobos-Pérez, and Roberto G Rodríguez
University of Maryland.

Background: In Costa Rica, the leading cause of preventable death is smoking. Adults spend one third of their lives at work making the workplace an optimal site for smoking cessation interventions. Therefore, we developed a workplace smoking cessation pilot program among Costa Rican Justice Department government employees based on key Costa Rican values and best practices. Methods: First, focus groups were conducted among exsmokers and smokers. Participants in the focus groups and in the subsequent smoking cessation pilot study were invited to take part in the study through flyers, information sheets, and announcements from the Justice Department. The focus groups revealed that social factors were fundamental to quitting. Therefore, based on these results two programs (14 participants) were conducted consisting of seven sessions encouraging employees to utilize their family and exsmokers. Data were collected before and after the seven sessions on smoking behavior, social influence, and other factors. Findings: Five of 14 (36%) quit smoking. None of the quitters lived with a smoker, as compared with 56% of nonquitters who lived with a smoker. Also, quitters were less likely to have friends (40% vs. 67%) and coworkers (20% vs. 33%) who smoked compared with nonquitters. Conclusion/Application to Practice: Workplace smoking cessation programs should help smokers to increase their social contacts with nonsmokers/exsmokers. Smoking cessation programs should assess not only smoking patterns, but also social contacts, such as family, friends, and coworkers. Based on these assessments, smokers should be encouraged to seek-out nonsmokers/exsmokers to assist them in quitting.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009785 Occupational Health Nursing The practice of nursing in the work environment. Industrial Nursing,Nursing, Industrial,Nursing, Occupational Health,Health Nursing, Occupational,Health Nursings, Occupational,Industrial Nursings,Nursings, Industrial,Nursings, Occupational Health,Occupational Health Nursings
D010865 Pilot Projects Small-scale tests of methods and procedures to be used on a larger scale if the pilot study demonstrates that these methods and procedures can work. Pilot Studies,Pilot Study,Pilot Project,Project, Pilot,Projects, Pilot,Studies, Pilot,Study, Pilot
D003364 Costa Rica A country in CENTRAL AMERICA, bordering both the Caribbean Sea and the North Pacific Ocean, between NICARAGUA and PANAMA.
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000071296 Government Employees Persons employed by the GOVERNMENT. Diplomat,Government Officials,Diplomats,Employee, Government,Employees, Government,Government Employee,Government Official,Official, Government,Officials, Government
D000074285 Smokers Persons with a history or habit of SMOKING. Smokers, Non-Tobacco Products,Smokers, Tobacco,Vapers,Non-Tobacco Products Smoker,Non-Tobacco Products Smokers,Smoker,Smoker, Non-Tobacco Products,Smoker, Tobacco,Smokers, Non Tobacco Products,Tobacco Smoker,Tobacco Smokers,Vaper
D000078405 Non-Smokers Persons without a history of SMOKING. Nonsmokers,Non-Smoker,Nonsmoker

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