Iraj Poureslami, Jessica Shum, J Mark FitzGerald
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is currently
one of the most common chronic lung diseases and a growing
cause of global morbidity and mortality. Smoking is the most
important risk factor for its development, and about 20% of
smokers develop COPD. This study took place in Metro
Vancouver, Canada. The aim of the study was to compare
and contrast the smoking habits and associated beliefs among
two groups of Chinese people after receiving a diagnosis of
COPD: those who successfully stopped smoking and those
who continued to smoking.
Ninety one Mandarin or Cantonese speaking patients with
COPD, of whom 24 were current smokers and 67 were former
smokers, participated in individual semi-structured interviews.
Participants were recruited with the assistance of primary
care physicians and respirologists in the Metro Vancouver.
Data were analyzed using hand coding for qualitative content
analysis.
Differences between the two groups were assessed.
Smoking experience, social influences, addiction/habit, and the
advantages and disadvantages of smoking were identified. In
particular, differences between smokers and former smokers
found in terms of beliefs that smoking helps relaxation and
reduces COPD anxiety and stress, and that smoking is a
psychological habit that cannot give up easily. Significant
information on barriers to successful smoking cessation was
also elucidated.
This study suggests we need to first understand Chinese
smokers’ internal motivations to quit and then assist with
culturally and linguistically relevant smoking cessation
counselling. Further research is needed to determine if
communication regarding tobacco use that is targeted toward
the Chinese-speaking population in North America improves
cessation rates.
