Characterization of Ecuadorian smokers according to the Cigarette Consumers Classification Questionnaire.

Abstract

Introduction: Tobacco consumption, mainly in the form of cigarettes, has increased internationally. Smoking generates an annual cost to Ecuador of US$ 658 million, equivalent to 7.9% of all annual public health expenditure.

Objectives: To describe the process of adapting the Cigarette Consumers Classification Questionnaire to the Ecuadorian context and to characterize the sample of smokers in terms of sociodemographic and consumption variables.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with a quantitative design was carried out. We started with the content validation and reliability assessment of the C4. Subsequently, sociodemographic and consumption variables were evaluated and the subjects studied were classified.

Results: The Ecuadorian version of the instrument showed a Kuder-Richardson alpha coefficient of 0.6275. Seventy-four percent of the participants were classified as at-risk smokers. Eighty-one percent of the subjects evaluated were male, predominantly young and students. Seventy-four percent of the participants presented a moderate level of consumption, i.e. up to 20 cigarettes per day.

Conclusions: The research provided a version of the Cigarette Consumers Classification Questionnaire (C4) consistent with the linguistic and cultural particularities of the common Ecuadorian citizen. There was a predominance of at-risk smokers, men, students and those with a moderate level of consumption. Among women, risk smokers also predominated, but none were classified as heavy smokers.