Características biopsicosociales relacionadas con el consumo de cigarrillo y la intención de cesación en fumadores en un entorno universitario

Introduction: The treatment of tobacco dependence requires understanding multiple factors that determine consumption patterns and the possibility of achieving behavioral change. Objective: To establish the biopsychosocial characteristics associated with smoking and the intention of quitting in users of an interdisciplinary smoking cessation program in a university setting. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study. The medical records of 134 program users who completed the evaluation phase were reviewed. Results: 56.7% of the participants presented a slight degree of tobacco consumption; moreover, 67.2% had a low level of physical dependence on nicotine. Positive screening for anxiety and depression was found in 62.7% and 34.3% of the sample, respectively. Most of the participants had at least one smoker friend (91%) and had made at least one previous cessation attempt (85.1%). Individuals at risk of developing anxiety smoked more cigarettes per day (Kruskal-Wallis p=0.041) than those who were not at risk. Conclusions: Multiple personal, family and environmental aspects determine the possibility of initiating, maintaining and/or relapsing into cigarette consumption. Thus, the implementation of effective interventions requires a comprehensive understanding of the factors associated with smoking and the intention to quit smoking.