Determinants of Self-Efficacy for Smoking Cessation in Korean Adults

Abstract

Introduction: Even though new governmental policies and social norm regarding smoking behavior have been introduced, many smokers still have hardships quitting tobacco completely. Recent studies revealed that self-efficacy is one of the positive factors for smoking cessation to individual. Purpose: To study association between self-efficacy and stages of change in smoking behavior and to identify possible determinants of self-efficacy in smoking cessation behavior. Method: The present study used the data collected from the Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (KCDC)-funded project, Development of tobacco use questionnaire and research for change in smoking behavior in May to December, 2015. A total of 799 current and former smokers completed the newly developed questionnaire including assessments of self-efficacy and other potential factors. The study investigated whether the self-efficacy total scores predicted successful smoking cessation and what determinants were responsible for self-efficacy of one individual. All statistical analysis were done by R program. This survey and research were approved by the Institutional Review Board of Seoul National University (No. 1508/002-002). Results: The total self-efficacy score was significant to smoking cessation level. The higher the level of total self-efficacy score was more likely to result in a higher level of smoking cessation towards action and maintenance stages. (OR: 1.33, CI: 1.28-1.38). From the multiple linear regression analysis, variables such as high level of nicotine dependence, self-employed job type, smoking initiation age, number of cigarettes per day were all associated with total self-efficacy score. In addition, the effectiveness of enforcement on smoke-free area regulation policy, graphic warning label insertion on cigarette package policy, and smoking cessation campaign and its advertisement policy were highly significant with total self-efficacy score. Conclusion: Overall, the study identified significant association between self-efficacy level and smoking cessation stages of change. Higher the self-efficacy level, higher level of smoking cessation stages was expected more towards long-term maintenance. Furthermore, this study suggested the influential determinants to decide the level of self-efficacy by means of complex combination of personal (e.g. demographic), and environmental (e.g. national tobacco control policy) variables.