Epidemiology: Open Access

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Predictors of Intention to Quit Cigarette Smoking among Jordanian Adults

Susan Abughosh, I-Hsuan Wu, Feras Hawari, Ronald J Peters, Mo Yang, Rustin Crutchley and Ekere James Essien

Objective: Having an intention to quit smoking is associated with quitting and is a step toward the required behavioral change. This study examines the predictors of an intention to quit and predictors of previous quitting attempt in a sample of adult Jordanian smokers (n=260).

Methods: A cross-sectional study in a convenient sample of willing adults in Amman, Jordan (n=600). The survey included socio-demographic characteristics, history of tobacco smoking, environmental and behavioral determinants of smoking like peer influence, and perceived harm. Individuals who smoked a cigarette during the previous month were considered smokers and included in further analysis (n=260). Three multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to determine predictors of intention to quit in the next year, next 30-days, and predictors of a previous quitting attempt.

Results: We found a high level of interest in quitting with the majority of the sample having had a previous quitting attempt (60%), more than half of the population considering quitting in the next year (57%), and 42% considering quitting in the next 30 days. Predictors found to be significant in this study, include heaviness of smoking, media antismoking message exposure, medical education, previous quit attempts, and smoker’s mental health.

Conclusion: Findings document a high level of interest in quitting underscoring the urgent need to develop interventions that foster this desire and ensure success. Predictors found to be significant in this study should be considered in designing an effective intervention in this Middle Eastern country.