PREVALENCE AND CORRELATES OF CIGARETTE SMOKING AMONG STUDENTS OF TWO UNIVERSITIES IN KERMAN, IRAN

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The period of studying at the university, with its specific characteristics, is of a great importance in regard to the preventive measures of cigarette smoking. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of cigarette smoking in Iranian University students and its related factors.METHODS: This cross-sectional study was done on 1677 university students of Kerman, Iran in 2006. Data gathering was done by using a questionnaire included questions about demographic features and cigarette smoking. The relationship between the rate of cigarette smoking and a number of factors were analyzed statistically.FINDINGS: Mean age of students was 21.2±2.1 years. From all, 52% were women and 92% were single. In whole, 184 students (11%) were current smokers (21.5% of men and 2.4% of women). Mean age of smoking onset was 15.9±4.5 years. Among the affecting factors on cigarette smoking, smoking by close friends (OR=4.3), alchohol consumption (OR=3.0) and male sex (OR=2.8) showed the highest relationships with cigarette smoking. The rate of cigarette smoking was lower in students who were saying their regular daily prayer (OR=0.52) and those who had higher academic marks (OR=0.68).CONCLUSION: Considering the high prevalence rate of cigarette smoking among university students and its related factors, gender-based preventive measures are highly recommended.

Keywords

• prevalence
• cigarette smoking
• students
• university