The Journal of Continuing Education in Nursing
Vol. 41 No. 2 February 2010
By Ray M. Merrill, PhD, MPH; Heather Gagon, MPH; Tanner Harmon, BS; Ivan Milovic, MD, PhD
BACKGROUND
This study assessed smoking prevalence, attitudes, and perceived patient counseling responsibilities among practicing nurses in Serbia. The need for nurses to receive tobacco cessation training is explored.
METHODS
Data were collected through a cross-sectional survey of 230 nurses at public institutions in Belgrade, a health care center in Belgrade, and public health care facilities throughout Serbia.
RESULTS
The smoking prevalence was 52% for male nurses and 47% for female nurses. Nurses had the greatest mean level of agreement with statements about controlling smoking through policy, followed by statements about being role models. Only 15% (n = 35) of nurses regularly counseled their patients about smoking, and only 16% of nurses (45% of males vs. 12% of females, p < .0001) had received training in counseling patients about smoking. Nurses’ training in counseling patients about smoking was positively associated with the nurses’ belief that their counseling could help patients stop smoking or never start smoking. In addition, nurses with training in counseling patients about smoking considered themselves significantly better prepared to assist patients to quit smoking. Nurses who smoked were significantly less likely to believe that their counseling about smoking could be effective. They also felt significantly less well prepared to assist patients to quit smoking.
CONCLUSION
These findings show that nurses’ training in tobacco cessation counseling results in greater self-perceived confidence and frequency of regular tobacco cessation counseling in Serbia.
J Contin Educ Nurs 2010;41(2):89-96.
AUTHORS
Dr. Merrill is Professor of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Department of Health Science, College of Life Sciences; Ms. Gagon is a student; and Mr. Harmon is a student, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. Dr. Milovic is Professor of Pediatric Surgery, University Medical School, Belgrade, Serbia.
The authors disclose that they have no significant financial interests in any product or class of products discussed directly or indirectly in this activity, including research support.
Presented as a poster at the annual meeting of the American College of Epidemiology, September 2008, Tucson, Arizona.
Address correspondence to Ray M. Merrill, PhD, MPH, Brigham Young University, Department of Health Science, 221-A Richards Building, Provo, UT 84602.
doi:10.3928/00220124-20100126-05
