Educational differences in awareness and use of the outpatient smoking cessation services program in Taiwan

Abstract

Background: To reduce educational inequalities in smoking, it is important that smoking cessation services can reach lesseducated smokers. Studies on inequalities in awareness or use of smoking cessation services from Asian are lacking. This study assesses educational differences in awareness and use of a nationwide outpatient smoking cessation program in Taiwan.

Methods: A total of 6,461 current smokers aged 25-64 was drawn from cross-sectional nationwide data of the 2012-2014 Adult Smoking Behaviour Survey. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between education and program awareness among current smokers and the association between education and program utilization among current smokers who were aware of the program and attempted to quit in the past 12 months.

Results: About 27% of current smokers were aware of the program. The odds of being aware of the program were higher for high school graduates (AOR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.02-1.86) and those with at least a college degree (AOR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.33-2.70), compared to those with middle school or less education. About a quarter of those who were aware of the program and attempted to quit have used the program. There were no educational differences in program utilization.

Conclusions: Given the educational inequalities in awareness of the outpatient program, tobacco-control policies should develop strategies to reach less educated smokers and overcome such inequalities.