Assunta Hunter1, Lisa B Grech2, Ron Borland3, Roshan das Nair4, Sarah L White5, Claudia H Marck6. 1. Disability and Health Unit, Centre for Health Equity, The Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. 2. Department of Health Sciences, Swinburne University, Melbourne, Australia; Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia Division of Psychiatry & Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom; Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia; Clinical Sciences at Monash Health, Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University. 3. Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia Division of Psychiatry & Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom; Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia; The Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, the University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. 4. Division of Psychiatry & Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom; Institute of Mental Health, Nottingham, United Kingdom. 5. Quit Victoria, Cancer Council Victoria, Melbourne, Australia. 6. Disability and Health Unit, Centre for Health Equity, The Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: Claudia.marck@unimelb.edu.au.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Smoking is a key modifiable risk factor for health outcomes of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Little evidence exists on whether the information and support needs of people with MS who smoke are met. This study aimed to explore knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about smoking and quitting, and quitting support needs in Australian people with MS. METHODS: Current and recent smokers were recruited for phone interviews through social media and newsletters. Interview data were analysed in NVivo using framework analysis. RESULTS: We interviewed 25 people with MS (20 current and five recent smokers). Many participants had little knowledge about the risks of smoking on MS progression. Some reported perceived benefits from smoking on MS symptoms, while others perceived smoking worsening their symptoms. Similarly, quitting was believed to have health benefits, but concerns about withdrawal symptoms and the impact on MS symptoms and relapses were common. Participants reported ambivalence discussing smoking with clinicians; some wanting more information and support, while also feeling shame or guilt. Many participants were asked about their smoking status by MS clinicians, however, the provision of evidence-based information, and referrals to quitting support services was very infrequent. General practitioners were often found helpful and supportive, but participants gave more weight to quit advice from MS clinicians. CONCLUSION: Our results are the first to indicate that smoking cessation needs of Australian people with MS are not met. These findings should be confirmed in a larger sample, but there is potential to investigate whether implementing routine provision of brief advice in MS care, as a coordinated effort between MS researchers, practitioners, consumer advocates and behavioural intervention services, may meet these needs. Further, developing targeted resources and training quit counsellors to provide appropriate information and support specific to people with MS may improve smoking cessation success in people with MS.
INTRODUCTION: Smoking is a key modifiable risk factor for health outcomes of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Little evidence exists on whether the information and support needs of people with MS who smoke are met. This study aimed to explore knowledge, attitudes and beliefs about smoking and quitting, and quitting support needs in Australian people with MS. METHODS: Current and recent smokers were recruited for phone interviews through social media and newsletters. Interview data were analysed in NVivo using framework analysis. RESULTS: We interviewed 25 people with MS (20 current and five recent smokers). Many participants had little knowledge about the risks of smoking on MS progression. Some reported perceived benefits from smoking on MS symptoms, while others perceived smoking worsening their symptoms. Similarly, quitting was believed to have health benefits, but concerns about withdrawal symptoms and the impact on MS symptoms and relapses were common. Participants reported ambivalence discussing smoking with clinicians; some wanting more information and support, while also feeling shame or guilt. Many participants were asked about their smoking status by MS clinicians, however, the provision of evidence-based information, and referrals to quitting support services was very infrequent. General practitioners were often found helpful and supportive, but participants gave more weight to quit advice from MS clinicians. CONCLUSION: Our results are the first to indicate that smoking cessation needs of Australian people with MS are not met. These findings should be confirmed in a larger sample, but there is potential to investigate whether implementing routine provision of brief advice in MS care, as a coordinated effort between MS researchers, practitioners, consumer advocates and behavioural intervention services, may meet these needs. Further, developing targeted resources and training quit counsellors to provide appropriate information and support specific to people with MS may improve smoking cessation success in people with MS.
Authors: Isabelle Weld-Blundell; Lisa Grech; Ron Borland; Sarah L White; Roshan das Nair; Claudia H Marck Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2022-07-29 Impact factor: 3.006