PREVALÊNCIA DO TABAGISMO E GRAU DE DEPENDÊNCIA ENTRE USUÁRIOS DO CENTRO DE ATENÇÃO À SAÚDE (CAS) – UVARANAS, PONTA GROSSA-PR

Smoking is considered a relevant public health problem around the world. Smoking habit is the major preventable cause of death as it is associated to premature death 64 Andriele Costa Belinski, Erildo Vicente Müller Publ. UEPG Biol. Health Sci., Ponta Grossa, v.16, n.1, p. 63-73, jan/jun. 2010 and disabilities due to cardiovascular diseases, breathing disorders and neoplasm. The aim of this study was to know the prevalence of smoking and the degree of nicotine dependence in the patients of the Health Care Center (Centro de Atenção à Saúde – CAS) – Uvaranas, Ponta Grossa – PR. The sample studied was of 150 (a hundred and fi fty) patients of 18 years old or more. A questionnaire was used to collect data that included information about patients ́ gender, age, schooling, monthly income, smoking habits and interest in quitting smoking. In addition to the questionnaire patients took the Fagerström test to check their level of nicotine addiction. The prevalence of smoking was 19,3%; among women the percentage was of 62,1 %. The profi le of smokers shows a higher number in young adults (34,5%), patients who had studied up to 8 years (58,6%) and with a monthly income from 2 to 5 minimum wages (62,1%) per family. The average score of the smokers studied demonstrated a low level of addiction (3,4 ± 2,6); of these 7 (24%) were diagnosed with a high or very high level of addiction and 79,3% said they were motivated to quit smoking. These patients were suggested to take part in the anti-smoking program.