Sophia Chan, RN, PhD, Department of Nursing Studies, University of Hong Kong, 4/F Academic and Administration Block, Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Hong Kong, China, 852-2819-2622, nssophia@hkucc.hku.hk, Tai-Hing Lam, MD, MSc, School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, and Chu-Pak Lau, MD, Queen Mary Hospital, Department of Medicine, ., Pokfulam, Hong Kong.

Objective: To assess the smoking status and predictors for stages of readiness to quit in cardiac patients.

Methods: A cross-sectional, baseline survey was conducted in a cohort of cardiac patients from March 2002 to October 2003. All Chinese-speaking smoking patients followed up at the cardiac outpatient clinics of six major hospitals in Hong Kong were invited to complete the survey prior to their participation in a randomised controlled trial of a stage-matched smoking cessation intervention.

Results: 978 patients participated with 91.5% male and about half over 60 years of age. Two-fifth smoked over 10 cigarettes daily in the past 30 days while 69.5% had low nicotine dependence. Most patients were in pre-contemplation and contemplation stages (86.0%) with a low self-efficacy to resist smoking (84.3%). Patients were more likely to be in higher stages of readiness to quit (preparation or action) if they were below 60 years of age (OR = 2.71, p < 0.01), with a high self-efficacy (OR = 2.71, p < 0.001), perceived psychological benefit in quitting (OR = 1.83, p < 0.01), perceived importance to success in quitting (OR = 3.71 to 10.97, p <0.05), supported by spouse and/or children (OR = 1.72, p < 0.05), and had low nicotine dependency (OR = 1.83, p <0.05).

Conclusion: Most participants were pre-contemplators and contemplators with low nicotine dependence and low self-efficacy. The predictors which increase the likelihood to attain a higher stage of readiness to quit smoking served as important information for smoking cessation counselors to help cardiac patients stop smoking.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) in this session will be able to

• Recognise the smoking status, readines to quit, nicotine dependence, and self-efficacy of quitting in cardiac patients
• Articulate the predictors of stages of readiness to quit smoking in cardiac patients

Keywords: Behavioral Research, Smoking Cessation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.