Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
U.S. flag
An official website of the United States government

VA Health Systems Research

Go to the VA ORD website
Go to the QUERI website

HSR&D Citation Abstract

Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title

Tobacco use and cessation among veterans recovering from stroke or TIA: a qualitative assessment and implications for rehabilitation.

Zillich AJ, Hudmon KS, Damush T. Tobacco use and cessation among veterans recovering from stroke or TIA: a qualitative assessment and implications for rehabilitation. Topics in Stroke Rehabilitation. 2010 Mar 1; 17(2):140-50.

Dimensions for VA is a web-based tool available to VA staff that enables detailed searches of published research and research projects.

If you have VA-Intranet access, click here for more information vaww.hsrd.research.va.gov/dimensions/

VA staff not currently on the VA network can access Dimensions by registering for an account using their VA email address.
   Search Dimensions for VA for this citation
* Don't have VA-internal network access or a VA email address? Try searching the free-to-the-public version of Dimensions



Abstract:

PURPOSE: To understand factors associated with tobacco use and related tobacco cessation among veterans recovering from stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) that will facilitate design of a tailored intervention for rehabilitation services. METHODS: Four focus groups were conducted with veterans who were smokers prior to an incident stroke or TIA along with their spouse or caregiver. Focus groups addressed tobacco use, cessation, and barriers to quitting during the recovery and maintenance periods. Focus group discussions were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using an inductive qualitative method. RESULTS: Twenty-eight veterans and spouses/caregivers participated. Five themes emerged from analysis: existing helpful resources for cessation, existing unhelpful resources, barriers and facilitators to cessation, desired resources for quitting, and association of stroke/TIA with tobacco use. Pharmacotherapy and support from medical providers were perceived as helpful whereas group programs and flyers were perceived as unhelpful. Barriers to quitting included boredom and lack of social support; facilitators included social support and the cost of tobacco products. Vocational and rehabilitation programs were highly desirable resources for quitting. Participants did not perceive their stroke/TIA to be associated with tobacco use. CONCLUSION: Results identified several issues concerning tobacco use and cessation relevant to patients recovering from stroke/TIA. These results can inform the development of a tailored cessation intervention for integration into rehabilitation and recovery treatment plans for patients with stroke/TIA.





Questions about the HSR website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.