Abstract:
Smoking is a main risk factor for Ischemic heart diseases and causes approximately one of every four deaths from ischemic heart diseases. The risk of ischemic heart disease increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day and when smoking continuous for many years. So cessation of smoking is an important thing to consider. There are so many methods are available for cessation of smoking. The objective of the study is to assess prevalence of smoking among ischaemic heart disease patients who attend cardiology clinic at teaching hospital batticaloa and their knowledge about smoking cessation. Descriptive, cross-sectional study, was conducted among ischaemic heart disease patients who attend cardiology clinic at teaching hospital Batticaloa, using a Interviewer-administered questionnaire. Variables were analyzed using SPSS.28. Majority of the participants are male - 69.1% (123). 52.8% participants are more than 55 years old. Patients who had a history of smoking and who are currently smoking were 37.1%). Among these 37.1% participants, 24.2% are currently smoking and 75.8% have stopped smoking. Majority of the patients stopped smoking following Myocardial Infarction which is 61.2%. 12.2%. Among all 73.7% were aware that smoking is a risk factor for ischemic heart disease and other complications. Majority of the participants (68.9%) don't know about any smoking cessation method. Among those 31.1% of the participants who knew at least one smoking cessation method majority of them knew gradual withdrawal as a cessation method, which was 96.4%. In this study 76.2% have poor knowledge about smoking cessation methods. Commonest gender was male and commonest age group is above 55 years. Majority of the participants stopped smoking following myocardial infarction. Majority knew smoking as a risk factor for ischemic heart disease and other complications of smoking. Majority of the participants have poor knowledge about smoking cessation methods.
