Researchers: Nihaya Daoud¹

Background: Studies have shown that smoking cessation is one of the most effective strategies for reducing morbidity and mortality. In Israel, starting from 2010, the healthcare management organizations (HMOs), started to offer smoking cessation services. Despite this, the prevalence of smoking among Arab men in Israel remains high (about 40% compared to the national rate of 30%). Yet, little is known about smoking cessation in Arab men. In addition, characteristics of those who receive smoking cessation services and the barriers to use these services are not known.

Objectives: The current study aims to compare among a cohort of Arab smoking men (age 18-64) who were interviewed Time 1 (T1) in October 2012 to October 2013 and the second interview in Time 2 (T2) in October 2017 to October 2018: 1. The proportions of those who received smoking cessation services (family physician advice to quit smoking and referral to group sessions) and use of these services, and cessation rates. 2. Examine the associations between different characteristics and receiving smoking cessation services. And 3. Examine barriers for the use of smoking cessation services.

Method: A prospective cohort study that includes a representative random sample of 723 Arab men smokers who belong to four HMOs in Israel, and were previously interviewed between October 2013 and October 2014 (ages 18-64) in (T1) and in the current study in October 2017 and October 2018 (T2) after 6-year of follow-up. Participants were interviewed again by telephone using a structured questionnaire in Arabic. Interviews at both times included questions about receiving and use of smoking cessation services. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic regression and Generalized Estimating Equation procedure (GEE) smoking cessation services. Poisson regression was used for the multivariable analysis of smoking cessation change (SSC).

Findings: A significant increase in smoking cessation services was observed from T1 to T2. Receiving doctor’s advice to quit smoking increased from 38% to 61.4%. Referral to smoking cessation groups increased from 6.2% to 18.9%. Participation in group sessions increased significantly from 0.7% to 27.6%. A significant decrease was observed in the smoking rates between the two study periods, 83.6% in T1 and 58.5% in T2. 33% reported smoking cessation in T2. Receiving smoking cessation services and participation in group sessions differ by the participants characteristics and barriers.

Conclusions: Results of the current study should be of interest for policy makers. It showed an increase in receiving smoking cessation services in T2. Attending group session was associated with smoking cessation among one third of the study participants. However, these results differ by the participants characteristics and barriers they face.

Recommendations: This suggest that healthcare services should help to reduce these barriers and increase the use of the smoking cessation services in all of the smokers that this will not be related to smokers characteristics, this might increase smoking cessation and reduce smoking related morbidities in Arab men.

Research end date: 02/2020