Determining the Effects of the Monitoring and Counseling in Addition to Standard Monitoring on the Abstinence after Quit Smoking: A Randomized Controlled Study

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMSThe aim of this study was to determine the effects of supplemental monitoring and counseling in addition to the standard monitoringduring the treatment period on the abstinence behavior of smoking cessation center applicants.MATERIAL and METHODSThe randomized controlled study was conducted in the smoking cessation clinic as an intervention study. The study involved 67participants. Data collection was implemented using the Descriptive Questions Form, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, CarbonMonoxide Monitoring Chart, and Self-Efficacy Questionnaire. After routine standard training and tests at the smoking cessation center,a total of six supplemental interviews were conducted in the intervention group by one of the researchers; these interviews wereconducted one week before smoking cessation and one week and one, two, three, and six months after quitting. Two interviews wereconducted in the control group for evaluation: one week before and six months after quitting.RESULTSAfter six months, 88.2% of the intervention group and 60.6% of the control group had stopped smoking. A statistically meaningfuldifference was found between the intervention and the control groups in terms of attending the standard monitoring. In the last interview,the self-efficacy score of the intervention group was significantly higher than that in the control group. Compared to the control group,the intervention group was 1.5 times more successful in smoking cessation at the end of the sixth month.CONCLUSIONThose successful in smoking cessation must be monitored in frequent follow-ups simultaneously supported by physicians, nurses, andother health-care providers.