National Survey of the Smoking Cessation Services in Iran's Primary Health Care System.
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Date
2015
Journal Title
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Abstract
Aim: Delivery of smoking cessation supports via primary health care settings could be an effective
way to increase people access to cessation services. This study was aimed at evaluating structural
characteristics of smoking cessation services established within the Iranian Primary Health care
system.
Materials and Methods: In order to obtain structural information about smoking cessation
services, firstly a phone call was made with coordinating authorities of tobacco control programs in
each university which are under supervision of Ministry of Health. Secondly, after describing the
objectives of project they were asked to fill the related questionnaire. The questionnaire was
available at MOH website and follow-up for its completion was done via telephone call.
Results: Smoking cessation centers started their activities in 2007 and their number increased
between 2008 and 2011. In all primary health centers, smoking cessation services are provided
free of charge. In sixty percents of centers individual therapy was used, a combination therapy (including pharmacotherapy) is highly preferred. Nicotine patch was the most common drug which
is used (62%) in smoking cessation clinics. General physicians are the main providers of smoking
cessation programs in health care centers (87%). The number of smoking cessation centers in
primary health care system decreased during years of 2011(89 centers) and 2012(79 centers)
compare with 158 centers in 2010. There isn’t national quit line in Iran.
Conclusion: This study shows smoking cessation programs provided in primary health care
system in Iran. The present study gathered useful and updated information on structural of
smoking cessation services in Iran’s primary health care system.
Description
Keywords
Smoking cessation, health service, Tobacco
Citation
Hessami Zahra, Valizadeh Behzad, Mohaseli Khadijeh, Aryanpur Mahshid, Sharifi Hooman. National Survey of the Smoking Cessation Services in Iran's Primary Health Care System. British Journal of Medicine and Medical Research. 2015; 6(1): 99-105.