14-08-2014, 02:48 PM
Prevalence of cigarette smoking among young adults in Pakistan
[attachment=66651]
Abstract
Objective: To obtain information about the prevalence of cigarette smoking among a selected sample of
university students in Karachi and build our understanding of the determinants of smoking with respect to family
smoking, smoking in the home, smoke-free public places, and quit smoking cessation programmes.
Methods: Data were collected as a part of a pilot project initiated by Jinnah University Karachi. Participants were
629 university students (432 males and 197 females) aged 18-25 years from ten universities in Karachi.
Descriptive statistics and Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the results and conclusions.
Results: Thirty-nine per cent of students had smoked a whole cigarette in their life time, whereas 25% had
smoked 100 or more cigarettes in their lifetime. Overall, 23% of students (31% male and 6% female) were
classified as a current smoker and their mean age and standard deviation of smoking initiation was 17±2.7
years (17±2.6) for males and 16±2.9 females. Sixty-three percent of smokers reported that public places
should be smoke-free. Logistic regression analyses adjusted by age and gender suggested that parental and
sibling influence and number of close friends and individuals who smoke at home were highly predictive of
being a smoker.
Introduction
Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable
death. According to World Health Organization (WHO)
tobacco use is currently responsible for the death of one in
ten adults worldwide (about 5 million deaths each year).
Moreover, unless circumstances changes, within 25 years
the annual death toll will double; millions more will
prematurely develop tobacco related illnesses that lead to
chronic disability.1,2 Individuals who smoke cigarettes are
12 times more likely to die from lung cancer, two to four
times more likely to develop coronary heart disease, twice
as likely to have a stroke, and 10 times more likely to die
from chronic obstructive lung disease.3-5
Outcome measure
Smoking status was assessed using three questions:
"Have you ever smoked a whole cigarette? (1 = Yes, 2 =
No)"; "Have you smoked 100 or more cigarettes in your life
time? (1 = Yes, 2 = No)"; "Did you smoke a whole cigarette
in the last 30 days? (1 = Everyday, 2 = Almost everyday, 3
= Someday, 4 = 1 or 2 days, 5 = I have never smoked)".
Respondents were classified as never smokers if they had
not ever smoked a whole cigarette and/or they had not
smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and rest were
defined as smokers
Conclusion
Despite these shortcomings, the current study
contributes to the scientific literature and should help
inform public policies and practices. First, it suggests that
the factors which influence Pakistani students to smoke may
not be significantly different from counties with a broader
evidence base. As such, it helps justify the need for the
government to adopt the provisions of the FCTC with
respect to smoke free places, public education and treatment
for tobacco cessation. Second, results are consistent with
other surveys of adult smoking in Pakistan. The high
prevalence among university students is particularly
concerning given that rates are typically higher among less
educated populations. Finally, the study lays an important
foundation for future research. It helps to justify the need
for larger, more sophisticated trials on tobacco use among
young adults in Pakistan.
[attachment=66651]
Abstract
Objective: To obtain information about the prevalence of cigarette smoking among a selected sample of
university students in Karachi and build our understanding of the determinants of smoking with respect to family
smoking, smoking in the home, smoke-free public places, and quit smoking cessation programmes.
Methods: Data were collected as a part of a pilot project initiated by Jinnah University Karachi. Participants were
629 university students (432 males and 197 females) aged 18-25 years from ten universities in Karachi.
Descriptive statistics and Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the results and conclusions.
Results: Thirty-nine per cent of students had smoked a whole cigarette in their life time, whereas 25% had
smoked 100 or more cigarettes in their lifetime. Overall, 23% of students (31% male and 6% female) were
classified as a current smoker and their mean age and standard deviation of smoking initiation was 17±2.7
years (17±2.6) for males and 16±2.9 females. Sixty-three percent of smokers reported that public places
should be smoke-free. Logistic regression analyses adjusted by age and gender suggested that parental and
sibling influence and number of close friends and individuals who smoke at home were highly predictive of
being a smoker.
Introduction
Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable
death. According to World Health Organization (WHO)
tobacco use is currently responsible for the death of one in
ten adults worldwide (about 5 million deaths each year).
Moreover, unless circumstances changes, within 25 years
the annual death toll will double; millions more will
prematurely develop tobacco related illnesses that lead to
chronic disability.1,2 Individuals who smoke cigarettes are
12 times more likely to die from lung cancer, two to four
times more likely to develop coronary heart disease, twice
as likely to have a stroke, and 10 times more likely to die
from chronic obstructive lung disease.3-5
Outcome measure
Smoking status was assessed using three questions:
"Have you ever smoked a whole cigarette? (1 = Yes, 2 =
No)"; "Have you smoked 100 or more cigarettes in your life
time? (1 = Yes, 2 = No)"; "Did you smoke a whole cigarette
in the last 30 days? (1 = Everyday, 2 = Almost everyday, 3
= Someday, 4 = 1 or 2 days, 5 = I have never smoked)".
Respondents were classified as never smokers if they had
not ever smoked a whole cigarette and/or they had not
smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and rest were
defined as smokers
Conclusion
Despite these shortcomings, the current study
contributes to the scientific literature and should help
inform public policies and practices. First, it suggests that
the factors which influence Pakistani students to smoke may
not be significantly different from counties with a broader
evidence base. As such, it helps justify the need for the
government to adopt the provisions of the FCTC with
respect to smoke free places, public education and treatment
for tobacco cessation. Second, results are consistent with
other surveys of adult smoking in Pakistan. The high
prevalence among university students is particularly
concerning given that rates are typically higher among less
educated populations. Finally, the study lays an important
foundation for future research. It helps to justify the need
for larger, more sophisticated trials on tobacco use among
young adults in Pakistan.