AN EVALUATION OF INDIVIDUALISED SMOKING CESSATION TECHNIQUES AMONG CIGARETTE SMOKERS

Abstract

An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of three individualized techniques on smoking reduction and cessation among 20 Tension Reduction and 21 Psychologically Addicted volunteer smokers. Subjects were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups by balloting. After pretesting, structured interview Guide and Smokers Behavioural Diagnosis Scale were administered to the subjects. Three types of treatments viz: Health education plus anxiety management technique (t₁), Health education and Self-Control (t₂) and Health Education, Self control plus applied relaxation techniques (t₃) were tested based on the behavioural characteristics of the subjects. Tension Reduction Smokers were exposed to t₁ and t₂ while Psychologically Addicted Smokers to t₂ and t₃ individually. Evaluation of Interventions was done 1st, 3rd and 6th month post treatments. Analysis of data was done, using an analysis of co-variance (ANCOVA) statistical test. Results revealed that in respect of abstinence rates, slx months post treatment, treatment group one (t₁), is more effective (51.1%) than treatment group 2 (t₂) (33.3%) and Control (14.3%) for the Tension Reduction Smokers. The difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). For the Psychologically Addicted smokers, treatment group three (t₃) is superior (50.0%) to treatment group 2 (t₂) (28.6%) and Control (16.7%). However, the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Based on these findings, it was concluded that treatment group one (t₁) is the most effective cassation technique for treating Tension Reduction Smokers and treatment group three (t₃) for Psychologically Addicted Smokers. In the light of the findings, recommendations were made.