Staff and patient perspectives of a smoke-free health services policy in South Australia: A state-wide implementation

Compliance with the smoke-free policy in hospitals in Spain: the patients' perspective

OBJECTIVE

To explore compliance with the smoke-free policy in hospitals in Catalonia, Spain, by exploring inpatients' perceptions.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of a random sample of 1047 inpatients from 13 public hospitals. We collected data about: (a) type of information about the smoke-free policy provided by the hospital, (b) patients' knowledge about the policy, (c) general appreciation of the compliance with the policy, and (d) specific appreciation of such compliance by noticing any sign of tobacco consumption. We described the data by several patients' and hospitals' characteristics and assessed their association with the perceived noncompliance using prevalence ratios (PR) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

Few patients were informed about the smoke-free policy (4.8% orally, 6.1% in writing, and 55.6% through sign postings). About 64% were aware of the regulation and 73.5% believed that it was properly obeyed. While 0.7% had never or rarely observed smoking indoors, 36.2% had seen someone smoking outdoors sometimes or many times. Signs of tobacco consumption were observed indoors and outdoors. Factors associated with the perception of noncompliance were: being less than 45 years old versus being more than 64 years old (adjusted PR, 2.33; 95% CI, 1.09-4.98) and currently smoking versus have never smoked (adjusted PR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.02-3.34).

CONCLUSION

Compliance with the smoke-free policy in hospitals according to the patients' view is notable, although several infringements were reported, mainly outdoors. The smoke-free policy in hospitals should be reinforced by prompting continuous awareness campaigns and the exemplary role of hospital workers.

A scoping review of workplace health promotion interventions for chronic diseases in Australia

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to systematically chart and summarize the literature pertaining to workplace health promotion (WHP) interventions targeting the five main modifiable lifestyle risk factors for chronic disease, including smoking, nutrition, alcohol, physical activity, overweight/obesity (SNAPO) in Australian workers.

METHODS

A scoping review was performed using the framework of Arksey and O'Malley. MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, and SCOPUS were searched to identify peer-reviewed publications that evaluated primary or secondary WHP interventions which targeted one or more modifiable risk factor (SNAPO).

RESULTS

A total of fifty-six articles were included in the review. The findings revealed a heterogeneous nature of WHP intervention design and evaluation. The majority of the interventions focussed on physical activity, with fewer targeting the other four main modifiable risk factors. Health care and white-collar workers were most frequently targeted, with less attention paid to other worker groups. The review also found that many interventions had a duration of three months or less.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant gaps have been identified in relation to the occupational role, risk factors targeted, and intervention length. This review also highlights the need for further research to be conducted to determine the efficacy of interventions to facilitate the development of a framework for WHP interventions to reduce the risk and prevalence of chronic disease.