An Analysis of Variables Discriminating the Group of Quitter and Non-Quitter among Thai Male Alcohol-Dependent Smokers

Abstract

The co-occurrence of alcohol and tobacco consumption is well documented. Alcohol-dependent smokers typically have a higher severity of dependence and a lower rate of smoking cessation than non alcohol-dependent smokers, especially among males.  Moreover, alcohol-dependent tobacco addiction appears to be more difficult to overcome than either alcohol or tobacco addiction alone.  Hence, examining the variables which discriminate between the ‘quitter’ and ‘non-quitter’ groups among male alcohol-dependent smokers could aid health care providers in developing effective smoking cessation interventions.  The purpose of this study was to identify such variables.  This study used a cross-sectional research design involving 421 male alcohol-dependent smokers who had received smoking cessation intervention from health care providers.  The participants were selected using the convenience sampling technique, and a multistage random sample was used to select two hospitals, and the Thailand National Quit-line for involvement in this study.  All participants completed six questionnaires: 1) the Stage of Change Questionnaire (SCQ), 2) the Processes of Change Questionnaire (PCQ), 3) the Self-efficacy Questionnaire (SEQ), 4) the Decisional Balance Questionnaire (DBQ), 5) the Severity of Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (SADQ), and 6) the Fragestrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). The acquired data was analyzed using percentages, means, standard deviations, and discriminant analysis.  The major findings of the study were as follows: the variables that could discriminate between the ‘quitter’ and ‘non-quitter’ groups among Thai male alcohol-dependent smokers, at the 0.05 significance level were nicotine dependency, self-efficacy, and decisional balance.  Furthermore, male alcohol-dependent smokers in the ‘quitter’ group were found to possess lower levels of nicotine dependence, higher levels of self-efficacy, and higher decision-making abilities than those in the non-quitter group.  The findings suggested that smoking cessation intervention strategies for Thai male alcohol-dependent smokers should target nicotine dependence, self-efficacy, and decisional balance.  However, level of alcohol dependence among smokers was not significantly able to discriminate between quitter and non-quitter groups.  Future studies should consider causal relationships between these factors.