Awareness and utilization of smoking cessation clinics in Saudi Arabia, findings from the 2019 Global Adult Tobacco Survey.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco use remains a leading cause of premature death. To combat tobacco use, the Ministry of Health (MOH) improved access to smoking cessation clinics (SCCs) by developing fixed SCCs and mobile SCCs, which move based on demand across locations. The goal of this study was to investigate awareness and utilization of SCCs among tobacco users in Saudi Arabia and the factors that influence their awareness and utilization. METHOD: This cross-sectional study used the 2019 Global Adult Tobacco Survey. Three outcome variables were employed, including tobacco users' awareness of fixed SCCs, mobile SCCs, and utilization of fixed SCCs. Several independent variables were examined, including sociodemographic characteristics and tobacco use. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed. RESULTS: One thousand six hundred sixty-seven tobacco users were included in this study. There were 60%, 26%, and 9% of tobacco users who were aware of fixed SCCs, aware of mobile SCCs, and visited fixed SCCs, respectively. The likelihood of being aware of SCCs increased among users residing in urban areas (fixed SCCs: OR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.31-2.68; mobile SCCs: OR = 2.09; CI = 1.37-3.17) while it decreased among those reported self-employed (fixed SCCs: OR = 0.31; CI = 0.17-0.56; mobile SCCs: OR = 0.42; CI = 0.20-0.89). The likelihood of visiting fixed SCCs increased among educated tobacco users aged 25-34 (OR = 5.61; CI = 1.73-18.21) and 35-44 (OR = 4.22; CI = 1.07-16.64) while the odds of visiting SCCs decreased among those who were working in the private sector (OR = 0.26; CI = 0.09-0.73). CONCLUSION: The decision to quit smoking must be supported by an effective healthcare system that provides accessible and affordable smoking cessation services. Knowing the factors that influence the awareness and utilization of SCCs would help policymakers dedicate efforts targeting those who desire to quit smoking yet face limitations in using SCCs.

Factors associated with the desire to quit tobacco smoking in Saudi Arabia: Evidence from the 2019 Global Adult Tobacco Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Saudi Arabia is expected to witness a slight reduction in tobacco use. The Saudi government offers free-of-charge smoking cessation services. Yet, factors influencing the desire to quit smoking are not comprehensively investigated in Saudi Arabia. This study examines the factors influencing the desire to quit among smoking adults in Saudi Arabia and investigates whether using alternative tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes, is associated with the desire to quit smoking. METHODS: Data from the 2019 nationally representative Global Adults Tobacco Survey (GATS) was used. GATS utilized a face-to-face household cross-sectional survey that collected data from adults aged ≥15 years. Several factors including, sociodemographic characteristics, use of alternative tobacco products, attitude toward tobacco control, and awareness of smoking cessation clinics (SCCs), were examined to predict the desire to quit. Logistic regression analysis was conducted. RESULTS: A total of 11381 individuals completed the survey. Of the total sample, 1667 participants were tobacco smokers. The majority of the tobacco smokers were interested in quitting smoking (82.4%); 58% of cigarette smokers and 17.1% of waterpipe smokers were interested in quitting smoking. The desire to quit smoking was positively associated with the awareness of SCCs (AOR=3; 95% CI: 1.8-5), attitude toward raising tobacco taxes (AOR=2.3; 95% CI: 1.4-3.8), and a strict rule of smoking inside the home (AOR=2; 95% CI: 1.1-3.9). No statistical association was found between the desire to quit smoking and the use of e-cigarettes. CONCLUSIONS: The desire to quit tobacco smoking among Saudi smokers increased with awareness of SCCs, favoring taxes on tobacco products, and implementing strict rules of smoking inside the home. The study reveals valuable insights into the main factors that could inform the development of more effective policy interventions targeting smokers in Saudi Arabia.