Epidemiological study of smoking among Japanese physicians

Abstract

Objective: In this study, we attempted to clarify recent changes in the prevalence of smoking among Japanese physicians and factors related to smoking among physicians.

Method: We conducted three self-administered questionnaire surveys on members of the Japan Medical Association in 2000, 2004, and 2008. In each survey, 3000 male and 1500 female physicians were randomly selected.

Results: The total number of effective responses was 3771 in 2000, 3633 in 2004, and 3486 in 2008. The prevalence of smoking among male physicians decreased significantly from 27.1% in 2000 to 21.5% in 2004, and then to 15.0% in 2008 (p<0.01). The prevalence of smoking among female physicians was 6.8%, 5.4%, and 4.6%, in 2000, 2004, and 2008, respectively (p=0.07). With regard to factors associated with being a current smoker, the odds ratios were significantly high for "male gender," "greater number of days on call/night shift," and "habit of daily alcohol consumption."

Conclusions: The prevalence of smoking among Japanese male physicians has shown a declining trend. When planning antismoking measures for physicians, the number of days on call/night shift as well as the habit of daily alcohol consumption must be taken into consideration.