Factors associated with desire to quit smoking among Estonian physicians: Cross-sectional data of 2002 and 2014

Introduction Smoking is a major health threat and quitting smoking would be a notable benefit. The aim of the present study was to explore factors associated with desire to quit smoking among Estonian physicians in 2002 and 2014. Methods Self-reported data of current smokers were drawn from Estonian physicians’ cross-sectional postal surveys in 2002 (n=322) and 2014 (n=189). A logistic regression model was used to analyse the association between desire to quit smoking and factors related to smoking behaviour among ‘current smokers’. Results The prevalence of desire to quit smoking among physicians was 55.3% in 2002 and 52.9% in 2014. Physicians who were concerned about harms of smoking, had higher odds for desire to quit compared with those who were not concerned (OR=9.06; 95% CI: 4.15–19.74). Compared to physicians with no quit attempts, odds for desire to give up smoking were significantly higher among physicians with quit attempts. Wish to set a good example was significantly associated with desire to quit (OR=2.38; 95% CI: 1.12–5.09). Compared to specialist doctors, dentists had higher odds for desire to quit smoking (OR=2.42; 95% CI: 1.25–4.69). Conclusions More than half of Estonian smoking physicians expressed the desire to quit. Desire to quit was associated with concern about harms of smoking, number of previous quit attempts, setting a good example, and medical specialty. The findings suggest that there is a need for smoking cessation counselling services that are addressed, especially for physicians in Estonia