Abstract

Objectives: This study tested the effectiveness of a health education intervention, and explored the value of the theory of planned behaviour in investigating the factors which influence patients’ decisions to stop smoking, or continue, when suffering peripheral vascular disease. It was set in a nurse-led health education clinic for peripheral vascular disease. Design: An experimental approach was used. Forty-one patients were randomized to three groups: Intentions, attitudes and beliefs were measured according to the theory of planned behaviour using structured interviews and physiological markers for smoking (end-expired carbon monoxide and urinary cotinine). A 4-week health-education programme was introduced to groups 1 and 2. At the post-test interview the baseline measures were repeated. Data analysis used a range of non-parametric and parametric analyses and included multiple regression. Results: Some evidence was provided that perceived control over stopping smoking is an important factor in smoking cessation. Conclusion: The study highlighted the importance of nurses’ role in helping people form Intentions to stop smoking, and raises questions about the nature of health education outcomes in evaluation.