Prevalence of smoking in nursing professionals of a cardiovascular hospital.

Objective: to identify the prevalence of smoking in nursing professionals and to determine the relationship of the habit with clinical and socio-demographic characteristics.

Method: nursing professionals of a cardiovascular hospital answered a questionnaire on smoking and dependence degree, socio-demographic characteristics, personal and family background, smoking characteristics, motivational stages, depression, perceived and occupational stress. The relationship between the explanatory variables and smoking was investigated.

Results: among 656 participants, 77.6% were non smokers, 12.2% former smokers, and 10.2% smokers. Most were female, with complete high school, Catholic, married, household income between three and five minimum wages, position as nursing assistant, had double shifts, and were responsible for family income. The nicotine dependence of smokers ranged from low to moderate.

Conclusion: the study has shown low prevalence of smoking in nursing professionals. Education level, religion, marital status, job position, responsibility for family income, history of depression and alcoholism, chest "wheezing" and other symptoms were significantly associated with being a smoker or former smoker.