Factors associated with desire to quit smoking among Estonian physicians: Cross-sectional data of 2002 and 2014

INTRODUCTION: Smoking is a major health threat and quitting smoking would be a notable benefit. The aim of the present study was to explore factors associated with desire to quit smoking among Estonian physicians in 2002 and 2014. METHODS: Self-reported data of current smokers were drawn from Estonian physicians’ cross-sectional postal surveys in 2002 (n=322) and 2014 (n=189). A logistic regression model was used to analyse the association between desire to quit smoking and factors related to smoking behaviour among ‘current smokers’. RESULTS: The prevalence of desire to quit smoking among physicians was 55.3% in 2002 and 52.9% in 2014. Physicians who were concerned about harms of smoking, had higher odds for desire to quit compared with those who were not concerned (OR=9.06; 95% CI: 4.15–19.74). Compared to physicians with no quit attempts, odds for desire to give up smoking were significantly higher among physicians with quit attempts. Wish to set a good example was significantly associated with desire to quit (OR=2.38; 95% CI: 1.12–5.09). Compared to specialist doctors, dentists had higher odds for desire to quit smoking (OR=2.42; 95% CI: 1.25–4.69). CONCLUSIONS: More than half of Estonian smoking physicians expressed the desire to quit. Desire to quit was associated with concern about harms of smoking, number of previous quit attempts, setting a good example, and medical specialty. The findings suggest that there is a need for smoking cessation counselling services that are addressed, especially for physicians in Estonia.