Facilitators and Barriers of Smoking Cessation among Users of Smoking Cessation Clinics in Public Health Centers

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to explore facilitators and barriers of smoking cessation among users of smoking cessation clinics in public heath centers. This study was a qualitative research with data collected through series of focus group interview. We interviewed five focus groups comprising 4-5 participants each in persons. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim and analysed with qualitative content analysis. The data of total 22 participants were analyzed. The analysis resulted in 4 categories on facilitators and 3 categories on barriers of smoking cessation. The categories of facilitators of smoking cessation were (a) discomfort of smoking, (b) strategies of smoking cessation, (c) benefits of smoking cessation clinics, and (d) positive experience of smoking cessation. The categories of barriers of smoking cessation were (a) ineffective service of smoking cessation clinic, (b) a permissive smoking environment, and (c) a craving to smoking. The services provided by smoking cessation clinics served as guidance to help smokers quit. In order to increase the smoking cessation rate among users of smoking cessation clinics, it is necessary to provide more tailored services such as counseling and nicotine replacement therapy to meet user’ needs.