Prevalence, Attitudes and Smoking Habits among Healthcare Professionals in Southwest Nigeria

Background: Smoking among healthcare professionals poses significant challenges to public health efforts, particularly in regions like Southwest Nigeria, where smoking prevalence remains relatively high despite tobacco control measures. Understanding the prevalence and attitudes towards smoking among healthcare professionals is crucial for designing effective tobacco control interventions.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 800 healthcare professionals in Southwest Nigeria. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, smoking habits, attitudes towards smoking, workplace environment, and lifestyle factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 20.0, including descriptive statistics and chi-square tests.

Results: The prevalence of smoking among healthcare professionals was 9.13%, with 31.75% being former smokers and 59.12% never smoked. Factors significantly associated with smoking prevalence included gender (p < 0.001), age (p = 0.016), occupation (p = 0.037), education level (p = 0.049), years of experience (p = 0.025), beliefs about smoking harms (p < 0.001), and attitudes towards workplace smoking policies (p < 0.001). Most participants believed smoking was harmful (76.25%) and could adversely affect professional performance (68.38%). However, only 4.92% had participated in smoking cessation programs.

Conclusion: Despite high awareness of smoking harms, a significant proportion of healthcare professionals in Southwest Nigeria smoke. Workplace environment and attitudes towards smoking cessation programs are critical determinants of smoking behaviour. Strengthening tobacco control policies, promoting smoking cessation interventions, and creating supportive workplace environments are essential for reducing smoking prevalence among healthcare professionals in Nigeria.