The Effects of a Smoking Cessation Program Among Patients with Pre–Operative Head and Neck Tumor

Abstract

Objective: To study the effects of a preoperative smoking cessation promotion program in patients with head and neck tumors.

Method: The research was conducted through a quasi-experimental with a one-group pre-posttest design. The program took at least three weeks before the operation (preoperative period) and after the operation (postoperative follow-up) for six months. The research instruments were a preoperative smoking cessation promotion program in patients with head and neck tumors and a questionnaire about the perception of smoking-related diseases, the severity of nicotine addiction degree, preoperative smoking cessation behavior, and smoking cessation. Cohen’s formula was used for sample size calculation. G*power was used to calculate the power of the test, which was 0.98, and the effect size was 0.87. The samples of 30 persons were selected by purposive sampling method from October 2021 to March 2023 at Sawanpracharak Hospital, Nakhon Sawan province. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis and comparison statistics. Nonparametric (Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was used to analyze the difference scores between before and after participating in the program.

Results: Participants significantly perceived (p-value <0.01) smoking-related diseases, including perception of the severity of smoking on the occurrence of the diseases, perception of risk and severity of complications during and after surgery, and perceived self-efficacy in quitting smoking. However, it was found that the expectation of smoking-cessation-awareness-score levels were higher than before participating in the program but not statistically significant, p-value=0.601. Concerning the behavior, the severity of nicotine addiction was statistically significantly lower than before participating in the program, p-value<0.01. Twenty-seven persons (90%) quit smoking before the surgery. Sixteen persons (53.3%) quit smoking more than two weeks, 24 persons (80%) stopped smoking consecutively for one month, 23 persons (76.7%) stopped smoking consecutively for three months, and 25 persons (83.3%) stopped smoking consecutively for six months.
Conclusion: The preoperative smoking cessation promotion program in patients with head and neck tumors enabled patients who had smoking habits to quit smoking before the surgery. The program helped reduce the severity of nicotine addiction. It was also found that the patients quit smoking consecutively after the surgery. However, a postoperative follow-up is required, including the return of information and creating continuous participation among caregivers, to reduce complications and cost burdens for patients, patients’ families, and healthcare system providers.

Keywords: Preoperative smoking cessation promotion program, head and neck tumors, smoking cessation, nicotine addiction.