A qualitative study on tobacco use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lebanon: Waterpipe and cigarette smokers' views, risk perceptions, and behaviors.

IF 1.9 Q3 SUBSTANCE ABUSE
Tobacco Prevention & Cessation Pub Date : 2024-06-27 eCollection Date: 2024-01-01 DOI:10.18332/tpc/189770
Rima Nakkash, Malak Tleis, Joanna Khalil, Maya Romani, Ramzi G Salloum
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction: Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, a growing number of studies have documented more severe COVID-19 symptoms and worse outcomes among smokers compared to non-smokers. The aim of this research is to understand the views, risk perceptions, and behaviors of Lebanese adult smokers during the pandemic.

Methods: We conducted 18 qualitative online structured interviews with adults who smoke cigarettes and waterpipe tobacco residing in Lebanon from November 2020 through April 2021. Participants were recruited predominantly via paid social media ads. Interviews were audio-recorded using Zoom software then transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed thematically.

Results: The findings showed three main themes: changes to smoking behaviors, concerns over the susceptibility and severity of COVID-19, and using coping methods to protect smokers from COVID-19. Although there was an increased risk perception of COVID-19 in relation to smoking, most participants reported an increase in smoking. Instead of being encouraged to quit, participants developed coping strategies against COVID-19 while smoking.

Conclusions: Smoking behavior did not seem to decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic. To support cessation initiatives and raise awareness, effective health messaging aimed at smokers is pivotal. Smoking cessation programs need to be better equipped at supporting people who smoke in finding healthier coping mechanisms during a pandemic. Moreover, policies to regulate the propagation of misinformation are required to prevent the development of a false sense of safety and protection from COVID-19.

黎巴嫩 COVID-19 大流行期间烟草使用情况定性研究:水烟和香烟吸烟者的观点、风险认知和行为。
导言:自 COVID-19 大流行开始以来,越来越多的研究表明吸烟者的 COVID-19 症状比不吸烟者更严重,治疗效果也更差。本研究旨在了解黎巴嫩成年吸烟者在大流行期间的观点、风险认知和行为:从 2020 年 11 月到 2021 年 4 月,我们对居住在黎巴嫩的吸食香烟和水烟的成年人进行了 18 次定性在线结构式访谈。参与者主要通过付费社交媒体广告招募。访谈使用 Zoom 软件进行录音,然后逐字转录。对数据进行了专题分析:结果显示了三大主题:吸烟行为的改变、对 COVID-19 易感性和严重性的担忧以及使用应对方法保护吸烟者免受 COVID-19 的伤害。虽然与吸烟有关的 COVID-19 风险认知有所增加,但大多数参与者表示吸烟量有所增加。参与者在吸烟时并没有被鼓励戒烟,而是制定了应对 COVID-19 的策略:结论:在 COVID-19 流行期间,吸烟行为似乎并未减少。为了支持戒烟计划并提高戒烟意识,针对吸烟者的有效健康信息传播至关重要。戒烟计划需要更好地支持吸烟者在大流行期间找到更健康的应对机制。此外,还需要制定政策来规范错误信息的传播,以防止人们产生错误的安全感,并免受 COVID-19 的危害。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
1.80
自引率
0.00%
发文量
155
审稿时长
4 weeks
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