Comparison of five measures of motivation to cult smoking among a sample of hospitalized smokers

OBJECTIVE: To compare the predictive validity of several measures of motiva tion to quit smoking among inpatients enrolled in a smoking cessation progr am. METHODS: Data collected during face-to-face counseling sessions included a standard measure of motivation to quit (stage of readiness [Stage]: precont emplation, contemplation, or preparation) and four items with responses gro uped in three categories: "How much do you want to quit smoking" (Want), "H ow likely is it that you will stay off cigarettes after you leave the hospi tal" (Likely), "Rate your confidence on a scale from 0 to 100 about success fully quitting In the next month" (Confidence), and a counselor assessment in response to the question, "How motivated is this patient to quit?" (Moti vation). patients were classified as nonsmokers if they reported not smokin g at both the B-month and 12 month interviews, All patients lost to follow- up were considered smokers, MAIN RESULTS:At 1 year, the smoking cessation rare: was 22.5%. Each measure of motivation to quit was independently associated with cessation (p < .00 1) when added individually to an adjusted model. Likely was most: closely a ssociated with cessation and Stage was least. Likely had a sensitivity, spe cificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and likelih ood ratio of 70.2%, 68.1%. 39.3%, 88.6%, and 2.2, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The motivation of inpatient smokers to quilt may be as easily and as accurately predicted with a single question as with the series of qu estions that are typically used.