Comparisons of social and demographic determinants of tobacco use in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Effectiveness of digital tools for smoking cessation in Asian countries: a systematic review

AIM

The use of tobacco is responsible for many preventable diseases and deaths worldwide. Digital interventions have greatly improved patient health and clinical care and have proven to be effective for quitting smoking in the general population due to their flexibility and potential for personalization. However, there is limited evidence on the effectiveness of digital interventions for smoking cessation in Asian countries.

METHODS

Three major databases - Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, and PubMed - for relevant studies published between 1 January 2010 and 12 February 2023 were searched for studies evaluating the effectiveness of digital intervention for smoking cessation in Asian countries.

RESULTS

A total of 25 studies of varying designs were eligible for this study collectively involving a total of n = 22,005 participants from 9 countries. Among different digital tools for smoking cessation, the highest abstinence rate (70%) was reported with cognitive behavioural theory (CBT)-based smoking cessation intervention via Facebook followed by smartphone app (60%), WhatsApp (59.9%), and Pharmacist counselling with Quit US smartphone app (58.4%). However, WhatsApp was preferred over Facebook intervention due to lower rates of relapse. WeChat was responsible for 15.6% and 41.8% 7-day point prevalence abstinence. For telephone/text messaging abstinence rate ranged from 8-44.3% and quit rates from 6.3% to 16.8%. Whereas, no significant impact of media/multimedia messages and web-based learning on smoking cessation was observed in this study.

CONCLUSION

Based on the study findings the use of digital tools can be considered an alternative and cost-effective smoking cessation intervention as compared to traditional smoking cessation interventions.

Tobacco Use and Associated Factors Among Men in Tanzania: Further Analysis of the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey Data

Background: Tobacco use is a significant public health challenge, contributing to preventable diseases and premature deaths globally. We aimed to determine the prevalence of tobacco use and associated factors among men in Tanzania. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of data from the 2022 Tanzania Demographic and Health Survey and Malaria Indicator Survey. The study population comprised men aged 15-49 years. Weighted logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with tobacco use. Results: A total of 5763 men with a mean age of 28.6 ± 10 years were included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of tobacco use was 11.1%, with 95% of users consuming smoked products, 17.1% using smokeless products, and 12.1% using both smoked and smokeless products. Older age was associated with increased odds of tobacco use, with odds of tobacco use increasing with each higher age group. Similarly, alcohol consumption was associated with greater odds of tobacco use. On the other hand, having a secondary education or higher, lack of occupation, being the head of the household, and owning a mobile telephone were associated with lower odds of tobacco use. Geographically, men from the Eastern zone and Zanzibar exhibited greater odds of tobacco use, while those from the Southern highlands zone had lower odds. Conclusion: This study revealed a significant prevalence of tobacco use among Tanzanian men and was associated with different individual, interpersonal, and community factors. The findings underscore the need for targeted interventions considering age-specific risk factors and geographical variations.

[Prevalence and factors associated with smoking among adults living in the Moungali district of Brazzaville in 2021]

Introduction

tobacco epidemic is a real public health problem in the world and in Africa. The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence and identify factors associated with smoking among adults living in the Moungali district.

Methods

we conducted a cross-sectional analytical study of 800 adults. Two-stage random sampling was used to select subjects in the Moungali district, Brazzaville, in September 2021. Binary logistic regression using the ascending stepwise method allowed identification of the associated factors. The adjustment of the model was verified by the Hosmer Lomeshow test. Data were collected via the Kobo collect V1.30.1 app. and analyzed with the Stata 15.0 software.

Results

smoking prevalence was 4.63%, 95% CI [3.37-6.31]. Males (AOR=8.36 95% CI [3.74-18.72], p-value < 0.0001), alcohol consumption (AOR=2.6 95% CI [1.11-6.11], p-value = 0.028), and professional activity (formal or informal sector) (AOR=3.91 95% CI [1.16-13.11], p-value = 0.027) were factors significantly associated with smoking.

Conclusion

this study highlights that smoking is a stronger risk factor in men than in women. In addition, alcohol consumption and professional activity in the formal or informal sector are also factors associated with active smoking. Preventive actions focusing on these factors are necessary to effectively fight smoking in adults.

Time to removal of sutures from the palmar surface of the hand in dark-skinned patients: Results in a prospective cohort of 146 hands

The objective of this study was to estimate the time to removal of a suture from the palmar surface of a dark-skinned adult hand. A descriptive and analytical study included a cohort of 146 patients, 57% male, with a mean age of 37 ± 14 years, covering a period of 10 years. The mean time to removal of sutures on the palmar surface of the dark-skinned adult hands was 21 ± 2 days. Complete epithelialization of the suture path was the clinical indication for the ideal day for removal. After removal, closure was total in 90% of cases (132 hands) and partial in 9% (14 hands). The day of suture removal was significantly (p = 0.006) related to wound healing (complete closure). Eighty-five percent of patients without complete wound closure at suture removal had history of use of skin-lightening products. Tobacco use significantly lengthened time to suture removal (p < 0.001). There was a correlation between patient age and time to suture removal. On multivariate analysis, three factors were predictive of suture removal later than day 21: being a manual worker (44% of patients) (p 0.006), suture location in a palmar fold area (<0.001) and the age of patient, the 41-50 years (p = 0.001) and >50 years (p < 0.001).