1Department of nursing, Daegu Health College 2Department of Nursing, University of Gyeongju
Abstract
Purpose: This study was done to identify factors based on the theory of planned behavior that predict smoking cessation in elderly smokers following a stroke. Method: Between March and May 2013, data related to intention, attitude toward the behavior, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control, were collected through questionnaire from 223 elders who smoked and who had a stroke. Data analysis was performed using PASW (SPSS) 18.0 program, and included t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple stepwise liner regression analysis. Results: Results showed a positive correlation between intention and attitude toward the behavior (r=.494, p<.001), subjective norm (r=.390, p<.001), and perceived behavioral control (r=.189, p=.005). These variables such as perceived behavior control, subjective norm, number of cigarettes per day, and usefulness of quitting smoking explained 50% of intention to quit smoking. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that there is a need to develop smoking cessation nursing strategies for elderly smokers following a stroke in order to provide effective counseling on subjective norm and perceived behavioral control.