Abstract
Background The concept of stages of change is widely used in smoking cessation interventions. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between stages of change and advice to quit smoking from family and medical physicians.
Methods A cross-sectional study of 3803 smokers visiting the Center for Multiphasic Health Testing and Services, Mitsui Memorial Hospital, Tokyo, Japan was conducted between November 2000 and January 2005.
Result Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that male smokers who were strongly recommended to quit from either a family member or a physician and female smokers who were strongly recommended by a family member only had a significantly higher probability to be in the preparation stage than those who were not recommended by a family member and a physician.
Conclusion Medical physicians in health examination centers should make recommendations not only to smokers but also to their spouses.
