[Sociodemographic profile of smokers admitted to the psychiatric ward of a general hospital].

From the interest of health professionals in tobacco control, stood out its high frequency in psychiatric population. This paper aimed to identify the socio-demographic profile of psychiatric patients who are also smokers, comparing with former smokers and non smokers. Exploratory survey, conducted from August 2010 to February 2012, involving psychiatric patients hospitalized in a general hospital, through interviews using a structured questionnaire. Out of the 433 persons hospitalized, 270 took part of this study; 83.7% are carriers of severe mental disorders; 35.6% are smokers, 14.1% former smokers and 50.4% non smokers. Higher proportion of smokers was found among male, 30-49 years old, junior high schooling, rural area, separated/divorced, without occupation, income and religion practice. This profile is similar to smokers of other groups of population. There was difference in the profile of psychiatric patients according to smoking. This knowledge may help nurse to plan interventions, according the needs and possibilities of the subjects.