Smoking among Health Care Personnel in Ouagadougou District Hospitals

Smoking remains a reality among health professionals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the smoking behaviour of health care workers in the district hospitals of Ouagadougou.  Methodology: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study conducted from 1 April 2021 to 31 May 2021 using an anonymous self-administered questionnaire. Data were entered and analysed using Epi-info software version 7.2.2.6. Relationships between variables were considered statistically significant at the p<0.05 probability level.  Results: A total of 246 caregivers participated in the study. The prevalence of smokers was 7.3%, all male. The mean age of smokers was 49.1 years. Cigarettes were the type of tobacco used. Stress and the influence of a smoking environment were the main reasons for smoking initiation. Half of the smokers smoked in the workplace. Passive smoking concerned 24.6% of non-smokers. Length of service (p=0.01), professional category (p=0.007), male gender (p=0) and age of smokers (p=0.007) were statistically related to smoking.  Conclusion: Increased awareness is essential to avoid smoking by caregivers. This would avoid discrediting them among the population and increase the effectiveness of tobacco control.