Assessment of the Motivation for Smoking Cessation among the Citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia
Journal
International Journal of Health Sciences and Research
Date Issued
2022-04-19
Author(s)
Prosheva, Sanja
Institute of public health of Republic of Macedonia
Marya Hubbard
Emily Emerson
Carter, Steve
Jake Fultz
Thomas Welch
Gutierrez Matos Fernanda
Kateri Drinkard
Larissa Bello
Reed Kennedy
Werre, Stephen
Virginia Tech
Redican, Kerry
Kevin Laoh
Clay Buttemere
Aleksandar Mitov
DOI
https://doi.org/10.52403/ijhsr.20220427
Abstract
Introduction: North Macedonia is among the top rated countries with high smoking prevalence with
high rate of adult smoking 48.4%, and nearly 81.4% of the smokers started smoking before being 25
years of age.
This paper will highlight the prevalence and public’s motivation on smoking cessation, broken down
into age groups throughout the entire country of North Macedonia.
Materials and Methods: The method is an analytical-descriptive method with cross sectional study,
as a result to a quantitative-qualitative survey conducted among the population in 2021 with the
collaboration of the Virginia Tech University and the NGO Link Across. Data from the Qualtrics
housed surveys and the completed paper surveys were entered into an Excel DB. Descriptive statistics
were generated for all questions. Bivariate data were analyzed using r.
Results and Discussion: Smoking is widely spread among all age groups, but with a trend to decrease
in numbers as the age is of a higher number - 32.2% belongs to the 18 to 24 year old group.
Distribution by gender -57.8% female, 40.4% male. Younger age groups have the highest relative
frequencies about the intention to quit smoking within one month. Approximately 16% of participants
who were smokers and attempted to quit, were smoke free and successful in cessation. Majority of
survey participants who attempted to quit were not successful and resumed smoking within 6 months.
This is strong justification of smokers who attempt to quit needing a program that would guide them
and maintain the attempts for cessation.
Conclusions: New state programs for smoking cessation should be offered as soon as possible. Also
regarding the changes in smoking protection laws, they should be analyzed; some of the changes need
to be reverted regarding the law legislation of the new modern ways of tobacco use, which are on the
rise all over the world.
high rate of adult smoking 48.4%, and nearly 81.4% of the smokers started smoking before being 25
years of age.
This paper will highlight the prevalence and public’s motivation on smoking cessation, broken down
into age groups throughout the entire country of North Macedonia.
Materials and Methods: The method is an analytical-descriptive method with cross sectional study,
as a result to a quantitative-qualitative survey conducted among the population in 2021 with the
collaboration of the Virginia Tech University and the NGO Link Across. Data from the Qualtrics
housed surveys and the completed paper surveys were entered into an Excel DB. Descriptive statistics
were generated for all questions. Bivariate data were analyzed using r.
Results and Discussion: Smoking is widely spread among all age groups, but with a trend to decrease
in numbers as the age is of a higher number - 32.2% belongs to the 18 to 24 year old group.
Distribution by gender -57.8% female, 40.4% male. Younger age groups have the highest relative
frequencies about the intention to quit smoking within one month. Approximately 16% of participants
who were smokers and attempted to quit, were smoke free and successful in cessation. Majority of
survey participants who attempted to quit were not successful and resumed smoking within 6 months.
This is strong justification of smokers who attempt to quit needing a program that would guide them
and maintain the attempts for cessation.
Conclusions: New state programs for smoking cessation should be offered as soon as possible. Also
regarding the changes in smoking protection laws, they should be analyzed; some of the changes need
to be reverted regarding the law legislation of the new modern ways of tobacco use, which are on the
rise all over the world.
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