Awareness and utilization of smoking cessation clinics in Saudi Arabia, findings from the 2019 Global Adult Tobacco Survey

Sarah S Monshi; Abdullah M M Alanazi; Ali M Alzahrani; Abdulrhman A Alzhrani; Turky J Arbaein; Khulud K Alharbi; Mansour Z Alqahtani; Ali H Alzahrani; Ahmed A Elkhobby; Aljoharah M Almazrou; Abdulmohsen H Al-Zalabani

doi:10.1186/s13011-023-00543-0

Awareness and utilization of smoking cessation clinics in Saudi Arabia, findings from the 2019 Global Adult Tobacco Survey

Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy. 2023 Jun 15;18(1):33. doi: 10.1186/s13011-023-00543-0.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Services Management, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. ssmonshi@uqu.edu.sa.
² Department of Respiratory Therapy, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
³ King Abdullah International Medical Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁴ Department of Health Services Management, College of Public Health and Health Informatics, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Tobacco Control Program at Ministry of Health, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
⁶ Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Medina, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: Tobacco use remains a leading cause of premature death. To combat tobacco use, the Ministry of Health (MOH) improved access to smoking cessation clinics (SCCs) by developing fixed SCCs and mobile SCCs, which move based on demand across locations. The goal of this study was to investigate awareness and utilization of SCCs among tobacco users in Saudi Arabia and the factors that influence their awareness and utilization.

Method: This cross-sectional study used the 2019 Global Adult Tobacco Survey. Three outcome variables were employed, including tobacco users' awareness of fixed SCCs, mobile SCCs, and utilization of fixed SCCs. Several independent variables were examined, including sociodemographic characteristics and tobacco use. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results: One thousand six hundred sixty-seven tobacco users were included in this study. There were 60%, 26%, and 9% of tobacco users who were aware of fixed SCCs, aware of mobile SCCs, and visited fixed SCCs, respectively. The likelihood of being aware of SCCs increased among users residing in urban areas (fixed SCCs: OR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.31-2.68; mobile SCCs: OR = 2.09; CI = 1.37-3.17) while it decreased among those reported self-employed (fixed SCCs: OR = 0.31; CI = 0.17-0.56; mobile SCCs: OR = 0.42; CI = 0.20-0.89). The likelihood of visiting fixed SCCs increased among educated tobacco users aged 25-34 (OR = 5.61; CI = 1.73-18.21) and 35-44 (OR = 4.22; CI = 1.07-16.64) while the odds of visiting SCCs decreased among those who were working in the private sector (OR = 0.26; CI = 0.09-0.73).

Conclusion: The decision to quit smoking must be supported by an effective healthcare system that provides accessible and affordable smoking cessation services. Knowing the factors that influence the awareness and utilization of SCCs would help policymakers dedicate efforts targeting those who desire to quit smoking yet face limitations in using SCCs.

Keywords: Saudi Arabia; Smoking cessation; Smoking cessation services; Tobacco use.

MeSH terms

Adult
Cross-Sectional Studies
Delivery of Health Care
Humans
Saudi Arabia / epidemiology
Smoking Cessation*