[Topic study on smoking cessation motivation and relapse triggers of hypertensive patients in the community based on the bi-term topic model].

Abstract

Objective: To explore the motivations for quitting smoking and the factors leading to relapse among smokers who have quit.

Methods: Data from 156 valid interviews with hypertensive smokers who quit smoking, collected at community health service centers in Beibei District, Chongqing, in 2021, were analyzed. Demographic characteristics of the participants were described. A topic model(BTM) was applied using Python 3.7 to analyze the motivations for quitting smoking and factors leading to relapse. Time trend analysis was performed to examine the temporal changes in relapse triggers.

Results: (1) Demographic characteristics: a total of 147 males(94.2%) and 9 females(5.8%) participated. The majority were elderly, with 15 participants(9.6%) under 50 years old, 44(28.2%) between 50 and 59 years old, 83(53.2%) between 60 and 69 years old, and 14(9.0%) aged 70 or older. Regarding smoking duration, 21 participants(13.5%) had smoked for less than 10 years, 30(19.2%) for 10-19 years, 29(18.6%) for 20-29 years, 50(32.1%) for 30-39 years, and 26(16.7%) for 40 years or more. Most participants were frequent smokers, with 120(76.9%) smoking daily. (2) Topic analysis: reasons for smoking included peer influence, curiosity, and being influenced by friends. Motivations for quitting included health issues, family persuasion, economic pressure, and advice from doctors. Relapse triggers included nicotine cravings, socializing with smokers, being offered cigarettes, and attending gatherings. (3) Time trend of topic heat: the topics of "nicotine cravings" and "socializing with smokers" showed an increasing trend, while the topic of "gatherings" showed a decreasing trend. The topic "being offered cigarettes" fluctuated before declining.

Conclusion: Health issues related to disease are the primary motivation for quitting smoking, while socializing with other smokers is a major trigger for relapse, alongside nicotine cravings. Other relapse factors include being offered cigarettes, attending social gatherings, smoking the first cigarette in the morning, stress, and boredom.