RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate Quit and Win campaigns repeated in North Karelia and rest of Finland. DESIGN: Repeated comparisons of participation rates, abstinence rates, and other measures between North Karelia and the rest of Finland. SUBJECTS: Adult daily smokers in Finland participating in the Quit and Win contests in 1986-1997. INTERVENTIONS: Quit and Win smoking cessation campaigns targeted at adult daily smokers throughout Finland in 1986, 1989, 1994, 1996, and 1997, including more intensive activities in North Karelia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Participation rates, self reported six-month abstinence rates, other effectiveness measures (% of smokers who attended, intended, tried, and succeeded in cessation). RESULTS: North Karelia's participation rates were significantly higher in each campaign compared with the rest of Finland. The abstinence rates in North Karelia were also higher, the difference being significant in 1986 and 1994 (p < 0.05). In the target population in 1996 over 75% of smokers in North Karelia, compared with 40% of smokers surveyed elsewhere, reported awareness of the campaign (p < 0.001). Approximately 9% of the smokers in North Karelia and 6% elsewhere intended to participate (p = NS). Over 2% in North Karelia, compared with less than 1% elsewhere, tried to quit (p < 0.001). Among the targeted group, 0.3% of North Karelian smokers were complete abstainers throughout the 12 months of follow up, compared with an average of 0.1% in other areas (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The Quit and Win campaign is a feasible cessation method in long-term community-wide programmes. Intensified community activities are associated with higher success. In repeat campaigns, high participation and abstinence rates can be maintained.
Asunto(s)
Promoción de la Salud , Prevención del Hábito de Fumar , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Femenino , Finlandia/epidemiología , Estudios de Seguimiento , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Fumar/epidemiología , Cese del Hábito de Fumar , Factores de TiempoRESUMEN
The study assessed whether exposure to advice to quit smoking from health care professionals was greater in North Karelia, an area with a community-based, long-term intervention integrated within the health care structure, than in the rest of Finland. Data were collected by health behavior surveys during 1978-1995. Adult regular smokers and those who had quit during the preceding 12 months were surveyed. We measured exposure to cessation advice by questioning, whether the person had been advised by a doctor or public health nurse to give up smoking at least once during the year preceding the survey. Men from the intervention area had a significantly higher likelihood of having been advised to quit than those elsewhere in Finland. The same trend emerged among women, but it was not significant. It is concluded that a community-based intervention program can encourage health professionals to increase their smoking cessation advice.