Smoking: Profile of an Elderly Sample in the City of Porto Alegre-RS/Brazil

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the profile of smokers in a sample of elderly people served by the Family Health Strategy (ESF) in the city of Porto Alegre/RS.   Theoretical Framework: Smoking is one of the main risk factors for several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and several other conditions. Although the number of smokers is declining in many countries, the impact of smoking remains a significant public health concern.   Method: Cross-sectional study with prospective data collection involving a sample of 567 elderly people. 30 ESF teams from different Health Districts were chosen through a stratified random draw and 36 elderly people were selected from each team. Results and Discussion: The prevalence of smoking was 21.5%, with a higher prevalence in men (26%). Widowed elderly people had less history of smoking (47.8%), as did retired elderly people (54.7%), religious practitioners (50.7%) and those with higher incomes. An increase in prevalence was observed in elderly people who stopped smoking, with an increase in age groups.   Research Implications: The research can provide specific data on the profile of elderly smokers in Porto Alegre, allowing public policies to be created or adjusted to more effectively serve this population.   Originality/Value: While many studies on smoking focus on younger populations or middle-aged adults, the choice to specifically study smoking among older adults is less common and therefore fills a significant gap in the literature.