Awareness of Smoking Cessation and Smoking Cessation Inhibitory Factors in Schizophrenia Patients

-- On the Problems of the Smoking Cessation Support --

Abstract

The rate of smokers in patients with psychiatric diseases is higher than in healthy individuals. However, currently, there is no active guidance available for them on smoking cessation. The objective of this study is to discuss what will be the most effective method to support smoking cessation in schizophrenia patients with the focus on their awareness of smoking cessation and smoking-cessation inhibitory factors. The study was conducted during the period from May 7 to May 31, 2008. The subjects included 16 schizophrenia patients who are smoking and treated at outpatient clinics in hospitals or daycare centers. A semi-structured interview was performed, and the KJ method was used for analysis. The study revealed that there are 10 groups that account for awareness of smoking cessation and smoking-cessation inhibitory factors in schizophrenic patients. The awareness of smoking cessation included the following: "the patient feels uncomfortable in society as a smoker". The smoking-cessation inhibitory factors included the following: "cigarette smoking provides a reason for living, enrichment, joy and even the feeling of achievement in his/her daily life". It was thought important to make interventions to improve their QOL, to involve society to support them, and to establish purposes of smoking cessation.