BACKGROUND While cigarette smoking has been considered the most relevant tobacco product worldwide, waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) has increased in prevalence globally and calls for more considerable attention now. However, little is known about WTS cessation knowledge and clinical practices among physicians, particularly in Lebanon. This study aims to examine the knowledge, barriers, and cessation practices of primary care practitioners towards WTS. METHODS A cross-sectional study where an anonymous self-reported questionnaire was completed by physicians attending the Annual Conference of the Lebanese Society of Family Medicine for family medicine physicians, general practitioners, and internists in Lebanon. RESULTS Out of 180 attendees, 105 primary care practitioners (PCPs) responded to the questionnaire. Only 38.1% of the physicians think similar techniques are used for the cessation of smoking of both cigarette and waterpipe. Similarly, 30.5% of the physicians believe that nicotine replacement therapy works in the cessation of waterpipe smoking. There was a statistically significant difference between the percentage of physicians who counsel for cigarette smoking and those who counsel for waterpipe smoking cessation (p = 0.005) where 30% of the physicians tend to counsel against cigarette smoking more than waterpipe smoking. CONCLUSIONS This study shows a difference in the attitude and behavior of PCPs towards cigarette and waterpipe smoking cessation. Moreover, there is a lack of knowledge about water pipe smoking cessation techniques. There is a great room for continued medical education to PCPs in their private practice to improve their knowledge.

中文翻译：

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戒水烟：基层医疗医生的知识，障碍和做法-基于问卷的横断面研究。

背景技术尽管抽烟被认为是世界上最相关的烟草产品，但是水烟抽烟（WTS）在全球的流行率已经增加，并且现在需要更多的关注。但是，对于医生，尤其是黎巴嫩的WTS戒烟知识和临床实践知之甚少。这项研究旨在检查初级保健从业者对WTS的知识，障碍和戒断习惯。方法一项横断面研究，由参加黎巴嫩家庭医学学会年会的医师完成了匿名的自我报告的调查问卷，该会议针对黎巴嫩的家庭医学医师，全科医生和内科医生。结果在180位参与者中，有105位初级保健从业者（PCP）回答了问卷。才38 1％的医生认为类似的技术可用于停止吸烟和抽烟。同样，有30.5％的医生认为尼古丁替代疗法可用于戒烟。在为吸烟提供咨询的医生与为戒烟提供咨询的医生之间的百分比之间存在统计学上的显着差异（p = 0.005），其中有30％的医生比吸烟者更倾向于建议吸烟。结论本研究表明五氯苯酚对香烟和水烟戒烟的态度和行为有所不同。此外，缺乏关于水烟戒烟技术的知识。在个人执业中，有很大的空间可以继续对PCP进行医学教育，以提高他们的知识水平。