Smoking prevalence among healthcare workers in Italy, PASSI surveillance system data, 2014-2018

Ann Ist Super Sanita. 2021 Apr-Jun;57(2):151-160. doi: 10.4415/ANN_21_02_07.

Abstract

Introduction: Data on smoking among Italian Health Personnel (HP) from PASSI surveillance system from 2014-2018 were analysed.

Materials and methods: Among 169,678 working-age respondents, smoking prevalence was estimated among 1,253 Medical Doctors (MDs), 4,840 Non-Medical HP (NMHP), 87,749 Non-HP (NHP) and multivariate analysis was conducted.

Results: Current smokers were 23.0% among HP. Smoking prevalence in MDs (16.0%) was significantly lower than those observed in NMHP (25.3%) and NHP (28.6%). A declining trend was detected in all three groups and was more evident among MDs: from 20.8% in 2014 to 11.5% in 2018. Amongst MDs, smoking was significantly associated with male gender (Adjusted Odds Ratio, AdjOR=1.61), younger age (AdjOR=2.00), residing in South (AdjOR=1.71). Among NMHP, smoking prevalence was associated with low economic condition (AdjOR=1.54) and non-university education.

Discussion and conclusions: To further reduce smoking in HP, it is necessary to develop specific training courses in educational curricula.

MeSH terms

  • Educational Status
  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • Italy / epidemiology
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Smoking Cessation*
  • Smoking* / epidemiology