Objectives: To measure the prevalence of HCS and determine its socio-health characteristics.
Methods: Subjects (> or = 18 years) included were patients seen in four hospital emergency rooms in Haute-Normandie for a disease requiring ambulatory care. HCS corresponded to the validated definition: did not intend to quit smoking, smoking every day and not having tried to quit during the past five years.
Results: A total of 429 subjects were enrolled, including 156 smokers, 20 of which were HCS (12.8%, 95% CI = 8.2%-19.3%). After logistical regression, the status of HCS was significantly associated with: having a less frequent average consultation with a doctor in the last 6 months (adjusted odds ratio [ORa] = 0.14 95% CI = 0.02-0.84 p = 0.02); having been less frequently a beneficiary of supplementary health insurance (ORa = 0.15 CI 95% = 0.03-0.71, p = 0.02); and having more frequently sought assistance from social services (ORa = 26.67, 95% CI = 0.95-79.45 p = 0.06).
Conclusion: According to these results, there are between 1 and 2.5 million HCS estimated in France. The HCS in this study's patient population from emergency services seem to be more socially disadvantaged than other smokers and have less frequent access to care. Prevention messages must be adapted for this population who is easily identifiable in general practice.