Health education on smoking and oral cavity in older adult smokers

Abstract

Background: Smoking induces a chronic inflammatory response that leads to multiple oral diseases in the older adult.

Objective: To describe the results of the modification of knowledge and practices on smoking and oral cavity in older adults.

Methodology: A multi-stage quasi-experimental study was conducted, from June to December 2023; the educational program Smoking, deadly damage was applied. The universe consisted of older adult smokers belonging to the family medical office 3 of Tunas de Zaza, from the Guasimal health area, of the Sancti Spíritus municipality (77), the non-probabilistic intentional sample consisted of 23 older adults. The variables studied were age, sex, duration as smoker, practices, risk perception regarding smoking, and knowledge of smoking and oral cavity.

Results: The female sex predominated (52.2%) and smokers for more than 10 years (73.9%). At the beginning of the investigation knowledge regarding smoking and oral cavity was insufficient in 65.2%, 69.6% of patients considered themselves severe smokers; at the end of the intervention knowledge was sufficient in 82.6% and 43.5% were moderate smokers. The risk perception about smoking was inadequate in 74.0%, which was reversed at the end of the investigation being adequate in 73.9%.

Conclusions: With the application of the educational program, knowledge regarding smoking and oral cavity was raised; and smoking practices were reduced in the older adults.