Smoking habits and attitudes towards smoking among university students in Jordan

Attitudes and practices related to smoking among university students in Thailand

Objective: To investigate attitudes and practices toward smoking among university students and to identify associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,299 students from five public universities in Thailand. Factor analysis and multiple regression were used for analysis. Results: A higher score of anti-smoking attitude was associated with female gender, majoring in science, living on campus, having a father with primary or secondary school, and those whose father was employed in the private sector. A more positive perceptions about smoking was associated with male gender, having a family income of 30,001-50,000 baht, and having a smoking friend. High positive preventive practice score was associated with those who came from rural areas, having a mother who was self-employed, and having a smoking family member. Conclusions: Although students showed strong anti-smoking attitudes, their preventive practices were poor. These findings should be taken into consideration when developing preventive smoking programs.

Patterns of Tobacco Smoking and Nicotine Vaping among University Students in the United Arab Emirates: A Cross-Sectional Study

Various forms of tobacco smoking and nicotine vaping tools are available on the market. This study quantified the prevalence of and identified factors associated with patterns of smoking and nicotine vaping among university students in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A cross-sectional sample of students enrolled in three public universities was surveyed. Self-reported current smoking and nicotine vaping were recorded. Of 1123 students, 81.7% completed the online survey (mean age, 20.7 ± 3.4 (SD) years; 70.7% females). The prevalence of current smoking was 15.1% while the prevalence of current nicotine vaping was nearly 4.0%. Among current smokers, 54.7% reported conventional smoking only, 15.1% reported nicotine vaping only, and 28.8% were poly-users. Conventional midwakh (47.5%), followed by conventional shisha/waterpipe (36.7%), conventional cigarettes (36.7%), electronic shisha/waterpipe (25.2%), and electronic cigarettes (24.5%), were most commonly reported by students. Students aged 20–25 years (adjusted odds ratios (aOR): 2.08, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.18–3.67) or >25 years (aOR: 4.24, 95% CI: 1.41–12.80) had higher odds of being current smokers compared to those aged 17–19 years. The male gender was also independently associated with higher odds of being a current smoker (aOR: 5.45, 95% CI: 3.31–8.97) as well as higher odds of smoking cigarettes, shisha, and midwakh, or nicotine vaping compared to being female. Of nicotine vaping users, 36.1% reported using nicotine vaping because they enjoyed the flavor and vaporizing experience and 34.4% used it to help them to quit smoking. A relatively high prevalence of self-reported smoking was reported among university students in the UAE. The findings also suggest that nicotine vaping use is relatively widespread, but still less common than traditional smoking. Vigilant and tailored university-based smoking control and preventive measures are warranted.

Prevalence and Sociodemographic Determinants of Substance Use in Turkey

BACKGROUND

Substance use disorder is a serious public health problem. It is essential to know who is prone to substance use in order to adopt appropriate measures.

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to determine the use prevalence ratios of substance use (tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, cocaine, synthetic cannabinoids, ecstasy, and others) in a large-scale sample of a general population. It also intends to examine related sociodemographic factors.

METHODS

This study is based on a cross-sectional survey conducted with a nationally representative sample of 24,494 individuals in face-to-face interviews conducted by a trained team of 125 clinical psychologists.

RESULTS

Lifetime prevalence of single substance use and polysubstance use are 4.5 and 2.6%, respectively (nicotine and alcohol excluded). Age, gender, education level, and marital status are important sociodemographic determinants for other substance use. Similarly, smoking and alcohol consumption are important determinants for other substance use. The multinomial regression analysis results showed that compared with adults aged 39 years and older, early-emerging adults (aged 18-23 years), late-emerging adults (aged 24-29 years), and young adults (aged 30-39 years) are more likely to turn to single substance use and polysubstance use.

CONCLUSION

Tobacco, alcohol, and other substance use are serious health concerns in Turkey. Sociodemographic status is an important determinant of several aspects of tobacco, alcohol, and other substance use and, therefore, should be examined thoroughly to be able to develop effective protective and preventive strategies.

Prevalence of cigarette smoking among college students in Iran: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Background: Cigarette smoking is known as a gateway drug for illicit drug use in youth. The objective of this study is to assess the prevalence of cigarette smoking in the college students in Iran.

Methods: We searched electronic databases including Scopus, Medline/PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science, and national databases such as Magiran, Scientific Information Database, Iranmedex, Medlib, Irandoc, and IranPsych from 1946 to 21st July 2018 without any language restriction using a proper search strategy. We used a random effect model to calculate the pooled prevalence of cigarette smoking in college students in Iran. Chi-square test and I2 index were used to evaluate the heterogeneity between the studies. We used the meta-regression and subgroup analysis to assess the potential source of heterogeneity. Stata software, version 11 (StataCorp, TX) was used for all statistical analysis.

Results: We included 60 eligible articles in our study. The pooled prevalence of cigarette smoking at least once in the lifetime was 19% (95%CI: 17-22). The I2 index indicated considerable between-study heterogeneity (I2 =98%, p<0.001). The pooled prevalence of cigarette smoking at least once in the lifetime in males and females was 28% (95% CI: 23-34) and 9% (95% CI: 6-13), respectively. In multivariable meta-regression, a significant association was shown between the year of study (β=-13.1, p=0.011) and sampling method (β=-12.8 p=0.017) and daily use in the last month.

Conclusions: Increasing prevalence of smoking among Iranian university students is an important health priority. Increasing preventive and health education programs are recommended.

Prevalence and behavior regarding cigarette and water pipe smoking among Syrian undergraduates

BACKGROUND

The devastating Syrian crisis has raised concern regarding the social acceptance of smoking especially with water pipe use becoming a growing epidemic. We aim to determine the prevalence of cigarette and water pipe smoking among university students, along with identifying the addictive behavior among university students.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Syrian Private University during World No-Tobacco Day, in Damascus, Syria during the war crisis. The survey consists of 4 sections: socio-demographic information, Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence, attitude towards water pipes, and perspective about smoking. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Sciences version 25.0 (SPSS Inc., United States.).

RESULTS

Of the 622 participants, 429 (69%) were males with a mean age of 21.3 ± 3.1 years. The prevalence of tobacco smoking was 320 (51.4%), 208 (23.8%) for cigarettes, and 112 (18.0%) for water pipe. Smoking was significantly higher among male non-medical university students. The majority were low to moderate dependent when assessed by the Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed a very high prevalence of smoking indicating the need for smoking cessation programs, access to effective quitting treatments, and mass media campaigns to diminish smoking among the youth.

Pattern and quitting of tobacco smoking among Egyptian university students

OBJECTIVES

University students are at high risk of practicing the smoking habit being exposed to smoking peers and easier cigarette availability.

METHODS

This study aims to explore prevalence, attitude and pattern of tobacco smoking and quitting among Beni-Suef University students. A cross-sectional study was conducted from March to May 2019. A total of 4,599 students were selected by using randomized multi-stage sampling using self-administered questionnaire for data collection.

RESULTS

The mean age of students found to be smokers was 20.8 ± 1.42 years. Males: Females' ratio was 2:1 (66 vs.34%). Prevalence of smoking was 17.4%. Students of non-medical and non-health colleges showed a significant high smoking rate (18.8 and 18.3% respectively) than students in health faculties (15.2%); p=0.017. Participants believed that they might smoke because of: peers' pressure (73.3%), stress (71.4%), imitating popular figures (61.7%) and availability of money (60.4%). Regarding smoking provinces; 86.1% did smoke in coffee-shops, 73.1% in university yards and only 16.87% used to smoke at home Regarding the attitudes of smokers and nonsmokers towards smoking; the acceptance of indoor smoking was significantly higher (85.6%) among smokers than non-smokers (6.42%); p=0.0001. Of note; 51.2% of smokers versus 86.3% of non-smokers agreed to ban smoking in public places (P=0.001). Majority of smokers (72.1%) had the desire to stop smoking while (57.8%) tried to stop smoking but failed.

CONCLUSIONS

Smoking is becoming a habit among university students and initiative of a smoke free environment should be encouraged and subject and method.

The Prevalence of Smoking (Cigarette and Waterpipe) among University Students in Some Arab Countries: A Systematic Review

Background:

Tobacco use among university students remains the most alarming problem worldwide. This study aims to systematically review the previous literature for determining the prevalence of smoking (cigarette and waterpipe) among university students in some Arab countries.

Methods:

We electronically searched articles from MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar and Google for the period from April 2018 to June 2019. We conducted a systematic review of eligible studies published in English between 2006 and 2019, for assessing cigarette and waterpipe smoking among university students. The studies were all cross-sectional according to eligibility criteria and contained 469 studies19 meet the inclusion criteria from 12 countries of (Yemen, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), Kuwait, Bahrain, Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Libya and United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Results:

the study included a total of participants (N=45,306) (33,450 Males vs 11,856 Females). The overall highest rate of current smoking among students was in Egypt (46.7%), Kuwait (46%) and KSA (42.3%). The smoking prevalence among males was significantly higher than females in Yemen (36.3% vs 28.0%,p<0.001), Bahrain (27.0%vs 4.2%, p<0.001), Tunisia (38.4% vs 3.4%, P<0.001), Egypt (61.2% vs 18.9%, P<0.001), Palestine (52.7% vs 16.5%, p<0.001), Syria (26.1% vs 9.5%, p<0.001), KSA (32.7%vs5.9%,P<0.001), and Jordan (54.3%vs11.1%, P<0.005) and (56.9%vs11.4%, P<0.005). Another study in Yemen was significantly higher among women than man (15.7% vs 10.3%, p<0.001). The highest waterpipe smoking rates among gender was in KSA (36.4%-36.3%). For cigarette smoking, the highest rates were in Libya (80.2%), Jordan (80%) and KSA (70.7%). The highest smoking rates among males were in Egypt (61.2%), Jordan (56.9%-54.3%) and Palestine (52.7%), for females the highest rate was in Yemen (28.0%).

Conclusion:

The prevalence of smoking cigarette and waterpipe appears to be alarmingly high among university students in Arab countries. The results were different among students, due to the nature of the region and the different customs, traditions, lineage and multicultural from country to another.

Perception and Attitudes of Dental Students towards Their Role in the Delivery of a Brief Smoking Cessation Intervention

OBJECTIVES

An assessment of dental students' attitudes and perceptions towards smoking, and their role in smoking cessation, needs to be understood to develop an effective training program in smoking cessation counseling. The aim of the study was to understand attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge of students towards their role in smoking cessation, to understand students' self-reported requirements in relation to skills and knowledge prior to training, and to understand students' self-reported learning from training.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Dental students (n = 46) in clinical training at the Kuwait University's Faculty of Dentistry participated in this study. Prior to the training on smoking cessation, an evaluation of the students' attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge was conducted. The students also completed a pre- and post-classroom assessment technique (CAT). Descriptive analysis of the students' attitudes, perceptions, and knowledge towards smoking and their role in smoking cessation was evaluated. A qualitative content analysis of the students' responses to a CAT was conducted.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight percent of the students showed willingness to perform a brief smoking cessation intervention; 62% of the students perceived their role in smoking cessation as difficult; and 95% agreed that leaders in the profession expected them to engage in a smoking cessation intervention. Four categories from the pre-CAT responses were generated: how to influence; effective communication skills; bolster knowledge and understanding; and intrapersonal skills. Analysis of the post-CAT responses identified the following three categories: patient-centered communication; gaining self confidence in skills set; and support frameworks.

CONCLUSIONS

Students need more client-centered skills and knowledge to bolster their confidence in cessation counseling.

The Relationship between Extrinsic and Intrinsic Religious Orientation with Perceived Stress and Cigarette Addiction among University Students

Background

Psychological stress is associated with unhealthy lifestyles, including smoking. Moreover, religious beliefs can play a significant role in relieving mental disorders such as anxiety and stress. Due to the frequent exposure of medical students to stressful situations, this study was conducted with the aim to investigate the relationship of internal and external religious orientation with perceived stress and nicotine dependence.

Methods

This correlational study was carried out on medical students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran, in 2015. The sample size was determined to be 224 individuals using the Morgan table. The participants were selected using stratified random ýsampling. The data collection tools consisted of a demographic information form, the Religious Orientation Scale (ROS) (Allport and Ross), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14), and the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND). Data were analyzed using multiple regression analysis, analysis of variance (ANOVA), Pearson correlation coefficient, and t-test in SPSS software.

Findings

The findings of the study showed that internal religious orientation had a significant negative relationship with perceived stress and nicotine dependence; however, no significant relationship was observed between external religious orientation and these variables.

Conclusion

Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the religious beliefs of individuals have a preventive role in perceived stress and nicotine dependence.

Secondhand smoking, knowledge/attitudes and socioeconomic status among married Bangladeshi women: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

There is a paucity of research on knowledge/attitudes regarding the dangers of exposure to secondhand smoking (SHS) among women. The relationship between exposure to SHS, socioeconomic status (SES) and knowledge/attitudes regarding the risks of SHS has often been ignored. We therefore aimed to examine (1) whether SES and exposure to SHS were independently associated with knowledge/attitudes regarding the risks of SHS; and (2) whether women with low SES and exposure to SHS were uniquely disadvantaged in terms of deficient knowledge and more dismissive attitudes towards the risks of SHS.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Cross-sectional study in the Rajshahi district, Bangladesh.

METHODS

A total of 541 women were interviewed. Knowledge of and attitudes towards the risks of SHS were the outcomes of interest.

RESULTS

A majority of the respondents were exposed to SHS at home (49.0%). Only 20.1% had higher levels of knowledge, and only 37.3% had non-dismissive attitudes towards the risks of SHS. Participants in the low SES group and those exposed to SHS had lower odds of higher knowledge and their attitudes towards the risks of SHS were more dismissive. Regarding deficient levels of knowledge and scores indicating more dismissive attitudes, women in the low SES group and who were exposed to SHS were not uniquely disadvantaged.

CONCLUSIONS

Exposure to SHS and low SES were independently associated with deficient knowledge and scores indicating more dismissive attitudes. Regarding knowledge/attitudes, the negative effect of exposure to SHS extended across all socioeconomic backgrounds and was not limited to women in either the low or the high SES group.

Substance abuse behaviors among university freshmen in Iran: a latent class analysis

OBJECTIVES

Substance abuse behaviors among university freshmen in Iran are poorly understood. This study aimed to identify, for the first time, subgroups of university freshmen in Iran on the basis of substance abuse behaviors. Moreover, it examined the effects of socio-demographic characteristics on membership in each specific subgroup.

METHODS

Data for the study were collected cross-sectionally in December 2013 and January 2014 from 4 major cities in Iran: Tabriz, Qazvin, Karaj, and Khoramabad. A total of 5,252 first-semester freshmen were randomly selected using a proportional cluster sampling methodology. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data. Latent class analysis (LCA) was performed to identify subgroups of students on the basis of substance abuse behaviors and to examine the effects of students' socio-demographic characteristics on membership in each specific subgroup.

RESULTS

The LCA procedure identified 3 latent classes: the healthy group; the hookah experimenter group; and the unhealthy group. Approximately 82.8, 16.1, and 2.1% of students were classified into the healthy, hookah experimenter, and unhealthy groups, respectively. Older age, being male, and having a family member or a close friend who smoked increased the risk of membership in classes 2 and 3, compared to class 1.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately 2.1% of freshmen exhibited unhealthy substance abuse behaviors. In addition, we found that older age, being male, and having a close friend or family member who smoked may serve as risk factors for substance abuse behaviors.

Testing a New Tool Assessing Attitude Towards Treatment and Health in Primary Health Care Setting: Senior Patients and Doctors Perspectives

Aims: Patients’ attitude towards treatment and health (ATH) is crucial for compliance at all stages of treatment. This study examined the psychometric properties of the developed PRACTA Attitude Towards Treatment and Health questionnaire, designed to measure ATH as perceived by seniors (PRACTA-ATH) and doctors (PRACTA-ATH-D) in primary health care. Methods: The data were collected in two waves of the Polish–Norwegian PRACTA project. Exploratory factor analyses (EFAs) were conducted on wave 1 data from senior patients ( n = 3392) and their general practitioners ( n = 491). Confirmatory factor analyses (CFAs) were conducted on wave 2 data. This was a new sample of senior patients ( n = 2765) and a follow-up sample of doctors ( n = 393). Results: The EFAs showed that the 16-item four-factor solution is the best solution reflecting the structure of both seniors and doctors’ ATH questionnaires. The CFAs conducted to establish the best unified model for PRACTA-ATH and PRACTA-ATH-D indicated three comparatively good solutions: the 16-item four-factor solution, the 12-item four-factor solution and the 12-item five-factor solution. Conclusions: The questionnaire is found appropriate for use among patients and doctors, and can be used as a good tool to monitor older patients’ ATH and concordance between doctors and patients’ perspectives.

Tobacco Use and Substance Abuse in Students of Karaj Universities

BACKGROUND

It is clear that tobacco smoking and substance abuse have negative consequences on adolescent and youth's health. Tobacco smoking especially hookah smoking has increased worldwide especially among university students. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of risk-taking behaviors such as cigarette smoking, hookah smoking, alcohol use, and drug abuse and its predictors in students of Karaj universities.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study took place in Karaj in January and February 2014. The randomly selected sample consisted of 1959 college students. A self-administered questionnaire was used to measure risk-taking behaviors as well as demographic and related risk factors. Logistic regression model was performed in data analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of cigarette smoking was 9.3%. The prevalence of hookah smoking was 9.3%. 7% of students used illegal drugs and 9.5% of students used alcohol at least once in last 30 days. After adjustment for other factors, being male, living without parents, having smoker friends, and presence any smoker in the family were factors associated with students' risk-taking behaviors. The results showed the co-occurrence of risk-taking behaviors.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of tobacco smoking and substance abuse, particular in males, are high. It seems that planning preventive interventions for this part of the population are necessary. This study emphasized the co-occurrence of risky behaviors, so, it is better high-risk behaviors simultaneously targeted at reducing or preventing interventions.

Perceptions of Lung Cancer and Smoking Among College Students in Jordan

A descriptive, cross-sectional design was adopted to identify college students’ knowledge and perceptions of lung cancer and smoking. A random sample of 400 students at the Jordan University of Science and Technology in northern Jordan was subjected to the Lung Cancer and Smoking Survey, which is based on the Health Belief Model. The results show that the prevalence of current smoking is 16.5% and that the prevalence of former smoking is 10.0%. Most (75.3%) of the respondents were aware of the prevalence of lung cancer. Almost all (90.3%) were aware of the cancer risk from air pollution, but fewer (57.5%) were concerned about the risk caused by side-stream smoke. Most disagreed that lung cancer could be easily cured. Former smokers were more knowledgeable than current smokers about the health hazards of smoking, and those who never smoked were more knowledgeable than both. Engineering students were more likely to agree with the benefits of quitting smoking than were medical or science students. Addiction and friends were the reasons most frequently given for not quitting smoking.

The Prevelance of Tobacco Use and the Factors Influencing in Students Studying at Two Dentistry Faculties in Turkey

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to determine the pattern and effects of tobacco and tobacco products use among students of dentistry.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A cross sectional study was performed in the Dentistry Faculty of Ege and Dicle Universities between April and May 2013. All freshmen and senior year students receiving education in both universities were included into the study (n= 321). A questionnaire consisting of 26 questions was used to determine the smoking habits of the students and the influencing factors regarding this habit. Students replied the questions under supervision.

RESULTS

A survey was conducted among 298 students out of 321 who were attending both universities. 46.6% of the participants were female and 53.4% were male. Smoking prevelance of the students was 29.9%. It was 19.9% in freshmen students and 45.8% in senior students. According to the first class of students in the fifth grade students in the prevalence of smoking in was found to be highly statistically significant (p< 0.001). Among other tobacco products the following was identified as mostly used: waterpipe, also known as narghile (27.4%), cigarwraps (9.7%), cigar (9.4%) and smoking pipe (2.0%). While 22.5% of the students stated that they started smoking after the age of 15, 36.0% started between the ages of 15 and 18 and 41.5% after the age of 19. The rate of smoking in the house was significantly higher (p< 0.001) among smokers than non-smokers. While 78.7% of the students stated that they would like to quit, 64.3% tried once or more to quit.

CONCLUSION

Smoking habit was found to be higher among medical students than the social average. Smoking is more frequent in higher classes. From early years onwards, students of dentistry should be intensively educated regarding the harmful effects of tobacco on health, and efforts should be made to prevent and control of tobacco epidemic.

Smoking and attitudes toward smoking policy at a University in Egypt

To assess smoking behavior, knowledge of smoking harm, and attitudes toward campus smoking policy at an Egyptian university, an online survey of students, staff, and faculty was conducted (N = 992). The smoking prevalence of 38% among men was in line with Egypt's national average, but the smoking prevalence among women of 20% was much higher than the national average. Smoking status influenced beliefs about smoking harm and attitudes toward smoking policy, with nonsmokers having stronger beliefs about the harm of smoking and showing stronger support for smoking regulations than smokers. Smokers were more knowledgeable about smoking policy than were nonsmokers and differed slightly in their preferences for smoking policy enforcement strategies. These findings contribute to our understanding of how to tailor college smoking policy and programs to an Egyptian context.

Tobacco Use Among Arab Immigrants Living in Colorado: Prevalence and Cultural Predictors

PURPOSE

The authors determined the prevalence of smoking among Arab immigrants living in Colorado. The authors also evaluated the relationship between acculturation and tobacco use, including both cigarettes and hookah among Arab immigrants.

METHOD

A cross-sectional survey of 100 adult Arab immigrants living in Colorado was carried out.

RESULTS

The results revealed that 19% of the study participants were current cigarette smokers and 21% were current hookah smokers. Participants who were more integrated into Arab culture were more likely to use tobacco products ( p = .03) and to have family members ( p = .02) and friends who use tobacco products ( p = .007).

CONCLUSIONS

Acculturation plays a major role in affecting the health habits of Arab immigrants living in Colorado, especially in the area of hookah smoking.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Understanding some culturally relevant predictors of tobacco use might assist health care providers in designing successful smoking cessation programs.

Attitudes of students and employees towards the implementation of a totally smoke free university campus policy at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia: a cross sectional baseline study on smoking behavior following the implementation of policy

Tobacco smoking is the preventable health issue worldwide. The harmful consequences of tobacco smoking and exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke are well documented. The aim of this study is to compares the prevalence of smoking among students, faculty and staff and examines their interest to quit. Study also determines the difference on perceptions of smoking and non-smoking students, faculty and staff with regard to implementation of a smoke-free policy. A cross-sectional survey was administered to one of the largest universities in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the academic year of 2013. A Likert scale was used on questionnaires towards attitude to smoking and smoking free policy. The Chi squared test was used to determine the difference of support on completely smoke free campus for smokers and non-smokers. Smoking rates were highest among staff members (36.8 %) followed by students (11.2 %) and faculty (6.4 %). About half of the smokers (53.7 %) within the university attempted to quit smoking. Students (OR 3.10, 95 % CI 1.00-9.60) and faculty (OR 4.06, 95 % CI 1.16-14.18) were more likely to make quit smoking than staff members. Majority of the respondents (89.6 %) were supportive of a smoking--free policy and indicated that should be strictly enforced especially into public places. Results also showed that smokers were more likely to support a smoke-free policy if there are no fines or penalties. These baseline findings will provide information among administrators in formulating and carrying out a total smoke free policy. Although the majority of people within the King Saud University demonstrate a high support for a smoke-free policy, administrators should consider difference between smokers and non-smokers attitudes when implementing such a policy.

The relationship between audience mentality and attitudes towards healthy lifestyle promotion in the mass media

Health promoters who use the mass media to encourage people to change their health behaviours usually underestimate the importance of audience's mental predispositions, which may determine their susceptibility to such influences. This paper presents research findings that show how some elements of an audience's mentality are related to their attitudes towards healthy lifestyle promotion in the mass media (HLPMM). The research project, undertaken between 2007 and 2009, comprised: a qualitative study using in-depth interviews (N=30); a self-administered survey on a purposive sample (N=237) and a computer-assisted personal interview or interviewing (CAPI) survey on a representative sample of Polish adult population (N=934). The findings from the first two studies were used to construct a scale to investigate the attitude towards HLPMM. This scale was applied in a nation wide survey and, as a result, four dimensions of the attitude were identified: (1) appraisal of the idea of HLPMM; (2) appraisal of HLPMM practice; (3) propensity to receive media messages promoting healthy lifestyle and (4) propensity to avoid such messages. Moreover, the survey results confirmed the hypotheses whereby a higher degree of individualism, a higher degree of authoritarianism, a weaker demanding orientation and generalised trust are related to a more positive attitude towards HLPMM. The aforementioned relationships indicate that producers of media messages promoting a healthy lifestyle need to take account of their audience's mentality, since knowledge of mental predispositions of the target audience may help them make the message more suitable for specific recipients.

Cigarette smoking behavior and the related factors among the students of mashhad university of medical sciences in iran

Background:

Tobacco consumption is the second major cause of death and the fourth most common risk factor for diseases, worldwide. Epidemiologic studies have traced the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit substances among medical students and physicians.

Objectives:

The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cigarette smoking and the related factors among the students of medical sciences in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.

Patients and Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 946 health professional students in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS, Iran) in autumn 2008. A standard self-administered questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic data, participant smoking status, family and peer smoking, attitudes and beliefs about smoking, awareness of cigarette negative effects and reasons for smoking cessation was used in the current study.

Results:

Among the students, 18.3% reported having ever tried or experienced with cigarette smoking. The overall prevalence of cigarette smoking was 9.8% with significant differences in prevalence rates by gender, 17.6% among males and 4.2% among females. Starting and continuing smoking was significantly correlated with the family cigarette consumption habits. The most common reason to start smoking was friends (24.9%) and the most important reason to continue smoking was personal life distress (17.6%). The majority of participants (92.3%) reported that they were aware of the hazards of smoking. A significant difference regarding awareness of smoking hazards was observed between smokers and non-smokers. The most important preventive factor for cigarette smoking was religious beliefs (69.1%).

Conclusions:

Although the prevalence of regular smokers among health professions students of MUMS was lower than general populations, but this level is still alarming and points at the rapid growth of cigarette use, especially among female students. Medical schools should work harder to tackle this phenomenon and address it more efficiently in their curricula.

Women's attitude toward smoking: effect of a community-based intervention on smoking-related social norms

BACKGROUND

Smoking has long been discouraged in Iranian women. However, in recent years, more women have started smoking. This study aimed to investigate the role of women's attitude towards smoking on smoking prevalence in women in the context of a community-based intervention program.

METHODS

Participants were samples of the third and fifth evaluation stages of the 'Isfahan Healthy Heart Program', which is a comprehensive community-based intervention program for noncommunicable disease prevention and control. A total of 3112 and 4794 women were investigated in 2004 and 2007, respectively. Intervention and reference groups were assessed for smoking habits and attitude towards smoking. T test and chi-square test were used to compare the parameters between the intervention and the reference groups.

RESULTS

Negative attitude towards smoking increased significantly in the intervention and the reference groups from 2004 to 2007 (P = 0.0001). Negative attitude towards smoking in women decreased significantly in the intervention group (P = 0.0001), whereas it increased significantly in the reference group (P = 0.0001). However, smoking prevalence showed a significant decrease in women in the intervention group, from 2.5 to 1% (P < 0.0001) and a nonsignificant decrease in the reference group.

CONCLUSION

A change in social norms towards acceptability of smoking for women can be overcome by effective strategies that discourage the population from smoking.

Mediation of smoking consumption on the association of perception of smoking risks with successful spontaneous smoking cessation

BACKGROUND

The perception of smoking risks has positive and smoking consumption has negative effects on successful smoking cessation, but no information is now available for what is the role of smoking consumption on the relationship between perception of smoking risks and successful smoking cessation.

PURPOSE

To assess the mediation of smoking amount on the association of perception of smoking risks with successful spontaneous smoking cessation.

METHOD

A community-based case-control study was conducted with 294 adult spontaneous successful smoking quitters who have been quitting smoking consecutively for more than 2 years as the cases, and 347 adult failed spontaneous smoking quitters who quitted but relapsed or have been quitting smoking continuously equal to or less than 2 years as the controls. The smoking amount was evaluated by pack-year that was categorized into tertiles and scored inversely. The score of perception of smoking risks was also categorized into tertiles. Propensity score as the covariate in the regression model was used to adjust the potential confounding. The total effect was decomposed into direct effect and indirect (mediating) effect by using logistic regression based on the KHB method proposed by Karlson, Holm, and Breen. The proportion of mediating effect among the total effect is calculated as the indirect effect divided by the total effect.

RESULTS

After adjusting age, profession, education, marital status, and reasons for quitting smoking by using propensity score, the small mediating effect of smoking amount on the association of perception of smoking risks with successful spontaneous smoking cessation was observed, and the mediating effect of smoking amount was 23.75% among the total effect. The dose-response analysis showed that the mediating effect of smoking amount in the groups with middle and high score of perception of smoking risks were 10.15 and 37.84% among their total effect, respectively.

CONCLUSION

This study reveals that smoking amount has only small mediating effect among the total effect of perception of smoking risks on the successful spontaneous smoking cessation; enhancing the smokers' perception of smoking risks could promote their attempt to reduce smoking, so as to increase the probability of successful smoking cessation.

Prevalence of and factors influencing smoking among medical and non-medical students in Tbilisi, Georgia

OBJECTIVE:

Smoking is a serious problem that has a devastating impact on health. The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence of and factors influencing smoking among medical and non-medical students in Tbilisi, Georgia, as well as to determine whether medical education has an impact on smoking.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional study was carried out at Tbilisi State Medical University and Tbilisi State University, both of which are located in Tbilisi, Georgia. A total of 400 4th-year students (200 students at each university) were asked to complete standardized questionnaires.

RESULTS:

Of the sample as a whole, 48.75% were identified as smokers and 51.25% were identified as nonsmokers. The mean age was 20.24 years among smokers and 20.26 years among nonsmokers. Of the medical students, 49.5% were smokers, as were 48.0% of the non-medical students. The male-to-female ratio in the study population was 0.9:1.1. Smoking was found to have a strong relationship with gender, males accounting for 65% of all smokers. Of the smokers, 56.9% stated that they would like to quit smoking (for health or financial reasons). Of the medical students, 59.5% expressed a willingness to quit smoking, as did 54.2% of the non-medical students.

CONCLUSIONS:

There is a need to improve smoking education for undergraduate students. Special attention should be given to the inclusion of anti-smoking education in undergraduate curricula, as well as to the implementation of smoking prevention campaigns at institutions of higher education. However, such measures will be effective only if tobacco control policies are strictly enforced on the national level as well.

Psychosocial determinants of cigarette smoking among university students in Jordan

The objectives of this study were to describe the prevalence of cigarette use and water pipe smoking in Jordanian university students and to analyze differences in determinants between cigarette smokers and non-smokers. A cross-sectional questionnaire was administered to a random sample of 400 students (18-24 years, 51% males). Smokers were compared with non-smokers on several smoking-related determinants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, χ 2 test and binary logistic regression analysis. The prevalence rates of cigarette use and water pipe smoking were 25.9% and 23.3%, respectively. Cigarette smokers differed significantly from non-smokers on almost all of the assessed determinants. The I-Change model explained 85% of the total variance of cigarette-smoking behavior. Cigarette smoking was determined by being male and older, having more depressive symptoms, having less Muslim identity, being more emancipated, perceiving more pros of smoking, having more modeling from peers and having lower self-efficacy. The popularity of cigarette use and water pipe smoking among Jordanian students necessitates health promotion interventions that motivate students not to engage in smoking behaviors by clearly outlining the outcomes of smoking and the healthier alternatives, how to cope with social influences and difficult situations in order to increase self-efficacy.

Why do smokers start?

Most studies investigating the reasons for smoking initiation are based on adolescents or young individuals. We considered the issue in a large dataset on the general Italian population. Six population-based surveys on smoking were conducted annually from 2005 to 2010 on representative samples of Italian individuals aged 15 years or over, involving more than 3000 individuals each year. A specific question on the main reason to start smoking was asked to 7469 ever smokers. Overall, 59.9% of ever smokers started smoking before 18 years of age and 33.6% started smoking before 16 years of age. Among ever smokers, 61.1% reported having started smoking because of the influence of friends, 15.6% for enjoyment and satisfaction, 9.0% to feel mature and independent, 6.6% because of the influence of partner/family, 2.5% because of stress, 1.9% to feel more secure and 1.8% for curiosity. The finding that the majority of Italian men and women - particularly those who started smoking at a young age - started smoking because of the influence of friends suggests that antismoking campaigns should consider social influence, resistance and the dimension of self-esteem. An improvement in the legislation prohibiting the purchase of tobacco products by minors aged less than 18 years and a smoking ban in school courtyards are urgently required in Italy.

Frequent mental distress, chronic conditions, and adverse health behaviors in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, Jordan, 2007

Introduction

Recent evidence indicates that chronic diseases and mental illness are associated. In the Middle Eastern country of Jordan, chronic diseases and frequent mental distress (FMD) are increasing; however, the capacity for mental health care is limited. The objective of this study was to determine the association between FMD, chronic conditions, and adverse health behaviors in Jordan.

Methods

The third cycle of the Jordan Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (2007) served as the data source for this study. The sample consisted of 3,612 noninstitutionalized Jordanian adults aged 18 years or older. Logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios for the association between chronic conditions, health behaviors, and FMD adjusted for age, sex, marital status, education, income, and employment.

Results

In the adjusted models, people with hypertension (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6–2.7), high cholesterol (AOR, 2.3; 95% CI, 1.6–3.2), diabetes (AOR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1–2.4), and asthma (AOR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.5–3.1) and smokers (AOR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1–2.0) were more likely to have FMD than people without each of these conditions. Adults who reported vigorous physical activity were less likely to have FMD (AOR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4–0.9) than their less active counterparts.

Conclusions

In Jordan, FMD was associated with several chronic conditions. As a result, we suggest additional research to examine the complex relationship between FMD and chronic conditions. More doctors in the primary health care system should be trained in mental health.

Knowledge and beliefs about smoking and goals for smoking cessation in hospitalized men with cardiovascular disease

OBJECTIVES

To describe perceptions of smoking in men hospitalized with cardiovascular disease (CVD).

BACKGROUND

Smoking is a major risk factor and associated with the high prevalence of CVD in Jordan.

METHODS

The study design was cross-sectional with a convenience sample. A structured interview was conducted in 112 men who were hospitalized with CVD.

RESULTS

The study showed that 91% of men hospitalized with CVD smoked daily. The majority (83%) had attempted to quit smoking in the past without help from others, and intended to quit in the future using the same previously unsuccessful method. They were unaware of the hazards of smoking such as stroke; or the long term health benefits of quitting smoking. Logistic regressions showed that men were more confident in quitting smoking if they had a high income (OR: 7.7; 95% CI: 2.7, 22.3), longer hospitalizations (OR: 2.6; 95% CI: 1.3, 5.3), or were hospitalized in acute cardiac settings (OR: 3.9; 95% CI: 1.2, 12.7), and admitted with a diagnosis of MI or angina (OR: 3.0; 95% CI: 1.1, 8.3).

CONCLUSION

Assessment of smoking status with smoking cessation counseling is paramount in hospitalized men with CVD who smoke.

Correlates of smoking, quit attempts and attitudes towards total smoking bans at university: findings from eleven faculties in Egypt

OBJECTIVES

Smoking among university students represents a formidable and global public health challenge. We assessed the associations between socio-demographic, health and wellbeing variables as independent variables, with daily smoking, attempts to quit smoking, and agreement with smoking ban as dependent variables.

METHODS

A sample of 3258 undergraduate students from eleven faculties at Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt, completed a general health questionnaire.

RESULTS

Overall daily or occasional smoking in last three months prior to the survey was about 9% (8% occasional and 1% daily smokers), and smoking was generally more prevalent among males (male=17%, female=0.6%, P < 0.001). After adjustment for confounders, not having normal BMI and having a mother who completed at least bachelor's degree education was positively associated with daily smoking, and conversely, no history of illicit drug use was a protective factor. About 76% of smokers had attempted to quit smoking within the last 12 months prior to the survey. Although a large proportion of students agreed/ strongly agreed with the banning of smoking at university altogether (87%), such agreement was less likely among smokers.

CONCLUSION

There is need for implementation of non-smoking policies on university premises, as well as regular up-to-date information on, and the periodic/yearly monitoring of tobacco use by university students employing standardised data collection instruments and reference periods. In addition, it would be valuable to develop campus-based educational/ awareness campaigns designed to counteract tobacco advertisement directed towards young people in Middle East countries. Otherwise, the danger could be that the current relatively low smoking prevalence among university students may escalate in the future.

Does cigarette smoking affect seminal fluid parameters? A comparative study

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of cigarette smoking on seminal fluid parameters, namely; volume, sperm concentration, and motility, as well as morphology, leukocyte infiltration, among males complaining of infertility.

METHODS

Between August 2010 and July 2011, seminal fluid analysis was done for 1438 males who are partners of couples who visited the infertility clinic at Prince Rashid Ben Al Hassan Hospital (PRH) for infertility. The men who fit the inclusion criteria (n=960) were classified into two groups: group a (non-smokers; n=564) and group B (smokers; n=396), which represents 41.25% of the study group. Seminal fluid was collected using masturbation after 3-5 days of abstinence then analyzed for volume, sperm count, sperm concentration, motility and morphology. In order to analyze whether the number of cigarettes smoked per day has an effect on the spermatogram; the smoking men were divided into two subgroups: the heavy smokers (n=266) and non-heavy smokers (n=130).

RESULTS

A total of 960 adult males were enrolled. Their age ranged between 21 and 76 years, 564 were non-smokers with mean age of 36. 45±6.27 (Mean±SD). Three-hundred-and-ninety-six were smokers with a mean age of 34.35±4.25 (Mean±SD). There was a significant effect of smoking on the motility of sperms and the ratios of abnormality (p<0.005). Concentration appeared not to be affected by smoking. Furthermore, the group of heavy smokers were found to have lower sperm concentrations and a higher percentage of abnormal sperms compared to the non-heavy smokers.

CONCLUSION

Cigarette smoking has a deleterious effect on some of the seminal fluid parameters (motility, morphology and leukocyte count) which in turn may result in male subfertility.

Cigarette smoking among Jordanian adults

The objectives were to determine the rate of cigarette smoking and correlates of its use among a sample of Jordanian adults (N = 600). A survey-based, cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenient sample. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors of being a cigarette smoker. Approximately half of the population (45%) had smoked a cigarette in the past month, 40% in the past week, and 36% in past 24 hours. These findings underscore the magnitude of the smoking problem in the Jordanian population and the urgent need for effective interventions. Future research should focus on developing interventions that incorporate the predictors identified.

Prevalence of and factors associated with daily smoking among Inner Mongolia medical students in China: a cross-sectional questionnaire survey

BACKGROUND

To date, no study on smoking behavior of medical students in Inner Mongolia has been reported. The aim of the present study was to determine the 1-month prevalence of and factors associated with daily smoking among medical students in Inner Mongolia of China, to assist interventions designed to reduce the smoking behavior of medical college students in this region.

METHODS

During December 2010 and January 2011 a cross-sectional survey was conducted among medical students at the Inner Mongolia Medical College using a self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of three sections: students' basic information, attitude on smoking behavior, and smoking status of the student daily smokers. Students who smoked every day in the last 30 days were regarded as daily smokers. Factors associated with smoking were identified using binary logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 6044 valid surveys were returned. The overall prevalence of daily smoking was 9.8% while the prevalence of daily smoking among males and females were 29.4% and 1.7%, respectively. Males in the Faculty of Medicine Information Management had the highest daily smoking rate (48.9%). Logistic regression models found that the main factors associated with daily smoking among male medical students were highest year of study (OR = 3.62; CI: 1.18-11.05); attitude towards smoking behavior Do not care about people smoking around you (OR = 2.75; CI: 2.08-3.64); and Smoking is harmful to their health (OR = 4.40; CI: 2.21-8.75). The main factor associated with daily smoking among female medical students was attitude towards smoking behavior Eliminate smoking on campus (OR = 0.11; CI: 0.06-0.23). Both for male and female medical students, there was no association between ethnicity and cigarette daily smoking. In regard to smoking status, more than 60% of daily smokers began smoking in high school, 61.3% smoked less than 5 cigarettes per day, 62.9% of the daily smokers' families opposed their smoking behavior, and after an hour of not smoking 74.6% daily smokers did not feel uncomfortable.

CONCLUSIONS

Antismoking education should be further promoted in Inner Mongolia medical students, with consideration given to the factors associated with daily smoking behavior found in the present study.

Knowledge, attitudes, and behavior in avoiding secondhand smoke exposure among non-smoking employed women with higher education in Jordan

Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure is a serious public health threat worldwide; in the developing world there are less serious efforts towards controlling women's and children's exposure to SHS. Knowledge, attitudes and avoidance practices among Jordanian women have never been thoroughly studied. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and avoidance behavior towards SHS exposure among employed Jordanian women with higher education.

METHODS

A survey was conducted among employed Jordanian women at two universities. A total of 209 women were included in the analysis. Two questionnaires regarding SHS exposure were used to measure knowledge, attitudes and avoidance practices.

RESULTS

Most respondents were regularly exposed to SHS in various locations during daily life, even though they were very knowledgeable about the dangers of SHS exposure for women and children. However, the subject's attitudes and avoidance behavior did not reflect the level of knowledge about SHS risks. The results suggests there is a large discrepancy between SHS exposure, knowledge, attitudes and avoidance behavior among highly educated Jordanian women that is likely influenced by culture and traditional gender roles. Public health initiatives are needed in Jordan to address public policy, institutional practices and to empowerment of women to reduce SHS exposure.

Smoking behavior among 84 315 open-university students in Thailand

The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of smoking among students in an open university in Thailand and to describe smoking patterns in relation to the personal and social characteristics of the sample. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted in 2005 with 87 134 open-university students in Thailand; the respondents aged 15 to 60 years (N = 84 315) are the participants in this study. We found a substantial difference in smoking prevalence by sex, with a much higher proportion of smoking male (20.9%) than female (1.0%) students in all sociodemographic categories. Smoking decreased among men with a higher level of education or income; in contrast, among women, higher incomes were associated with more smoking. Most of the smokers started smoking in high school. The findings provide evidence that future policy making should aim to reduce smoking among the younger population in Thailand, and in particular, they point to the need to preserve low smoking rates among women.

Prevalência e características do tabagismo na população universitária da região de Lins-SP

O estudo objetivou conhecer a prevalência do tabagismo e descrever o perfil e hábitos tabágicos entre universitários de Lins-SP. Uma amostra de 368 alunos respondeu a um questionário com perguntas dirigidas a fumantes, ex-fumantes e não fumantes. A prevalência de tabagismo foi de 11,7%; 85,3% dos alunos não eram fumantes e 4,0% foram classificados como ex-fumantes. Do total de alunos entrevistados, 54,1% eram mulheres. Foi observado consumo médio de 5,1 ± 5,4 cigarros por dia, sendo que todos os universitários tabagistas utilizavam o cigarro industrializado. Este índice de prevalência assemelha-se aos de outros Centros Universitários e demanda políticas de controle do tabagismo nos meios universitários.

Perceptions of young Jordanian adults to proposed anti-tobacco pictorial warning labels

Background

In commitment to the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC), four new pictorial warnings are now being proposed for display on cigarette packages sold in Jordan. The aim of this study was to gauge the immediate perceptions of young Jordanian adults towards these new pictorials and compare these perceptions to those of the pictorial currently being used in the country.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on a convenience sample of youth aged 17-26. The interviewer-administered survey gauged participants' perceptions of salience, fear elicitation, and gained information as well as participants' motivation to remain non-smokers or quit smoking after viewing each of the four proposed new pictorials as well as the current pictorial used in Jordan. Perceptions regarding each new pictorial were compared to the current pictorial.

Results

A total of 450 surveys were included in the analysis. The sample (mean age 20.9) was 51.6% female and 31.3% cigarette (regular or occasional) smokers. In smokers, only one proposed pictorial had significantly more smokers perceiving it as salient or adding to information when compared to the current pictorial. More smokers reported fear when observing the proposed pictorials compared with current pictorial, but overall proportions reporting fear were generally less than 50%. Furthermore, all new pictorials motivated significantly more smokers to consider quitting compared with the current pictorial; however, the overall proportion of smokers reporting motivation was < 25%. Among nonsmokers, significantly more respondents perceived the new pictorials as salient and fear-eliciting compared to the old pictorial, but there were no major differences in information added. Motivation to remain non-smokers was comparable between the old and new pictorials.

Conclusion

Given the variability of response across both smokers and nonsmokers, and across the three elements of perception (salience, added information, fear) for each pictorial, further testing of the pictorials in a more diverse sample of Jordanian young adults prior to launch is recommended.

Smoking practices in Jordanian people and their impact on semen quality and hormonal levels among adult men

Despite worldwide anti-smoking campaigns, cigarette smoking prevalence is increasing in the third-world countries. It is now regarded as the most important public health issue. Here, we study the current smoking situation and investigate the impact of cigarette smoking on semen quality and hormonal levels among adult people. Furthermore, we suggest various strategies to reduce smoking consumption among young individuals. Across-sectional data from 804 adult smoker subjects (male n = 530 and female n = 274) aged between 15 and 45 years were analyzed. One hundred and eleven males were agreed for further evaluation of their semen quality and hormones compared with 93 age-matched non-smoking males. This study showed that the majorfactors initiating smoking among women were friends' influence (49%), life pressures (16%) and parental imitation (14%). The major reasons in men was friends' influence (65%). Furthermore, 61% ofwomen and 89% of men smoke in public implying social acceptance oreven encouragement of this habit. This study also found that low-income Jordanians consume more tobacco materials than those in the middle- and higher income. Furthermore, smokers had significantly lower (p < 0.001) sperm concentration and motility values and higher (p < 0.001) serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels than non-smokers.

Differences of smoking knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors between medical and non-medical students

BACKGROUND

Previous studies in the world reported inconsistent results about the relationship of medical professional education with medical students' smoking behaviors, and no similar research had been published in China.

PURPOSE

This paper aims to explore whether the differences of smoking-related knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors existed between medical and non-medical undergraduate students.

METHODS

Eight thousand one hundred thirty-eight undergraduate students sampled from a university in Guangzhou were investigated with a self-administered structured questionnaire about their smoking-related knowledge, attitude and behaviors, and other relevant factors. General linear model and multinomial logistic regression were conducted to test the differences in smoking-related knowledge, attitude, and behaviors between medical and non-medical students while controlling for potential confounding variables.

RESULTS

There was no difference in smoking-related knowledge scores between medical and non-medical freshmen, but medical sophomores and juniors had higher scores of smoking-related knowledge than their non-medical counterparts. The medical sophomores had higher mean score of attitudes towards smoking than non-medical ones. Before entering university, the difference in the prevalence of experimental and regular smoking between medical and non-medical college students was not significant. After entering university, in contrast, the overall prevalence of regular smoking was significantly higher among male non-medical college students than among male medical students. Stratified by current academic year, this difference was significant only among male sophomores.

CONCLUSIONS

Medical students have higher smoking-related knowledge, stronger anti-smoking attitude, and lower prevalence of regular smoking than non-medical college students of similar age, which may be associated with medical professional education.

Determining responsibility for smoking in society: accountability continuum for Jordanian college students and its implication on FCTC implementation

As one of the first countries to ratify the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, Jordan has signaled an interest in stronger anti-tobacco restrictions. This study examines whether Jordanian students believe smoking is an individual right or a social issue, and if they would support more stringent policies and enforcement. Undergraduate Jordanian students (n = 1211) from public and private universities completed the survey. Never smokers scored significantly higher on smoking being a social issue that required public policy response (p-value < .001); whereas smokers scored significantly higher with all individual right items. Ample opportunity exists for developing and enforcing stronger tobacco policies both on college campus and generally in the country. However, increasing tobacco taxes may need to be preceded by health communication campaigns that increase knowledge of the effectiveness of the tobacco tax in reducing use and resultant premature deaths.

Less demand for tobacco smokers in the marriage market

BACKGROUND

In order to control the tobacco scourge, an array of measures is required.

AIMS

To determine the attitude of unmarried females toward tobacco smokers and ascertain their attitude toward marrying a smoker.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

Female students from randomly selected colleges in Kannur district, Kerala state, India, were the participants for this cross-sectional study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sample consisted of 1800 unmarried female students from two colleges. A self-administered, structured, close-ended pilot-tested questionnaire was used for data collection. Data were collected after obtaining verbal consent from them.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Data collected were entered into an excel spread sheet and analyzed using PASW 17 software.

RESULTS

The participants' age ranged between 17 and 25 years. About 59.6% revealed that their parents (father) used tobacco products. Of those with no family history of tobacco use, 96.5% had negative attitude toward tobacco smokers, whereas of the participants with family history of tobacco use among parents, 89% were with a negative attitude toward tobacco use or their parent's habit. This association was found to be statistically significant (P < 0.001); 79% expressed negative attitude toward their male co-students who use tobacco products. Of the total, 99.3% expressed their unwillingness to marry a person with the habit of tobacco use, whereas 0.7% were willing to marry a person with tobacco habit with the belief that they could bring about a change in their male partner's tobacco habit.

CONCLUSION

More comprehensive tobacco control activities can be undertaken in the community and colleges by incorporating female students as facilitators.

Health risk behaviors among college youths: a cross-cultural comparison

The present study examined the frequency of smoking, seatbelt use, and vehicular speeding among American and Jordanian college students, and assessed the relationship between these risk behaviors and gender, socioeconomic status, and religiosity. Significantly more Jordanian students were smokers. Jordanian students were less likely than American students to buckle up, but American students were more likely to engage in vehicular speeding. Female students, especially among Jordanians, were less likely than male students to engage in risky behaviors. Among Jordanian participants, smoking and passenger seatbelt use were positively associated with indices of socioeconomic status, and smoking was negatively associated with religiosity.

Knowledge of substance abuse among high school students in Jordan

OBJECTIVES

The purpose a descriptive design was employed using a self-administrated questionnaire to collect the data from 400 high school students.

METHODS

A multistage, random sample was generated in selecting schools from the educational directorate located in a large urban city located in the north of Jordan. This city district contains 23 public secondary schools and serves 56.8% of the adolescents in the entire province.

RESULTS

The results revealed the following: Students of both sexes were knowledgeable about aspects of substance abuse, including its harmful effects on the body and society and reported that even occasional or frequent use of cigarettes, alcohol, and other drugs was extremely harmful. A majority of the students perceived substance abuse as a problem, although the older students were more acutely aware than the younger group. However, the results revealed that the students lack in-depth knowledge of substance abuse. In addition, the adolescents consistently refer to Islamic principles forbidding use of intoxicants but mistakenly presume that mosques are sources for assistance regarding substance abuse.

CONCLUSIONS

Policy makers, health workers, and religious leaders must collaborate to build structured educational programs and readily accessible, evidence-based treatment programs for adolescents. Given that young people constitute the majority of the Jordanian population and that drug trafficking is prevalent in the region, the implications of prevention programs are critical to maintaining gains in public health outcomes as well as economic progress and development in Jordan.

Smoking behavior among coronary heart disease patients in Jordan: a model from a developing country

The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of cigarette smoking before and after diagnosis of Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), detect the reasons that discourage quitting smoking and resources of advice about quitting, and investigate the relationship between smoking behaviors and demographic variables. A convenient sample of 300 CHD patients from cardiac outpatient clinics participated. Before disease occurrence, nonsmokers composed 40% of all participants, former smokers 11.7%, and current smokers 48.3%. Surprisingly, after disease occurrence only 29.7% of the patients quit smoking, while 60.7% continued smoking, and 9.6% relapsed. The most frequent reasons given by smokers for not quitting smoking were “do not incline to stop smoking” (25.6%) and “craving for a cigarette” (25%). Doctors were cited most frequently as the reason individuals quit smoking (19.0%). The Jordanian health care system needs to implement systematic intensive smoking cessation programs to maintain and promote CHD patients’ motivation to quit smoking.

The influence of secondhand smoke exposure on birth outcomes in Jordan

This study investigates how secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure influences neonatal birth weight in Jordan, a country with high smoking prevalence. The findings revealed that as the average number of SHS exposure hours per week increased in the second trimester, the neonatal birth weight decreased while holding all covariates constant. Women who reported a higher average number of SHS exposure hours per week from work in the second trimester, home in the third trimester, and outside in the third trimester were at greater risk for having a low birth weight neonate than women who reported a lower average number of SHS exposure hours.

Arab Americans' acculturation and tobacco smoking

Limited information is available about Arab Americans' smoking behaviors. The aim of this study was to describe Arab Americans' smoking behaviors and any relationship between tobacco dependence and acculturation. This was a cross-sectional study. Arab American smokers and ex-smokers (N = 96) participated in the study. Nicotine dependence, acculturation, and tobacco use questionnaires were used to measure the major variables. Analyses revealed a significant positive correlation between acculturation and tobacco dependence and between tobacco exposure and tobacco dependence. Arab Americans who behaved most like their ethnic peers and spent more time with Arab Americans were more dependent on nicotine.