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Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Study protocol

Study protocol of the German Study on Tobacco Use (DEBRA): a national household survey of smoking behaviour and cessation

Authors: Sabrina Kastaun, Jamie Brown, Leonie S. Brose, Elena Ratschen, Tobias Raupach, Dennis Nowak, Constanze Cholmakow-Bodechtel, Lion Shahab, Robert West, Daniel Kotz

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

The prevalence of tobacco smoking in Germany is high (~27%). Monitoring of national patterns of smoking behaviour and data on the “real-world” effectiveness of cessation methods are needed to inform policies and develop campaigns aimed at reducing tobacco-related harm. In England, the Smoking Toolkit Study (STS) has been tracking such indicators since 2006, resulting in the adaptation of tobacco control policies. However, findings cannot be directly transferred into the German health policy context. The German Study on Tobacco Use (DEBRA: “Deutsche Befragung zum Rauchverhalten”) aims to provide such nationally representative data.

Methods/Design

In June 2016, the study started collecting data from computer-assisted, face-to-face household interviews in people aged 14 years and older. Over a period of 3 years, a total of ~36,000 respondents will complete the survey with a new sample of ~2000 respondents every 2 months (=18 waves). This sample will report data on demographics and the use of tobacco and electronic (e-)cigarettes. Per wave, about 500–600 people are expected to be current or recent ex-smokers (<12 months since quitting). This sample will answer detailed questions about smoking behaviour, quit attempts, exposure to health professionals’ advice on quitting, and use of cessation aids. Six-month follow-up data will be collected by telephone.

Discussion

The DEBRA study will be an important source of data for tobacco control policies, health strategies, and future research. The methodology is closely aligned to the STS, which will allow comparisons with data from England, a country with one of the lowest smoking prevalence rates in Europe (18%).

Trial registration

This study has been registered at the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00011322) on 25th November 2016.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
Study protocol of the German Study on Tobacco Use (DEBRA): a national household survey of smoking behaviour and cessation
Authors
Sabrina Kastaun
Jamie Brown
Leonie S. Brose
Elena Ratschen
Tobias Raupach
Dennis Nowak
Constanze Cholmakow-Bodechtel
Lion Shahab
Robert West
Daniel Kotz
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-017-4328-2

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