GENDER SPECIFICS OF THE ATTITUDES TOWARD TOBACCO SMOKING IN VARIOUS EDUCATIONAL LEVELS AND FAMILY STATUS AMONG ECONOMICALLY ACTIVE MEN AND WOMEN IN TYUMEN CITY

Abstract

Aim . To assess the attitudes toward smoking in economically active men and women in Tyumen city within various education and family status. Material and methods . A single-point epidemiological study conducted, under the cardiological screening of open city population aged 25-64 y.o., males 850 (respond 85,0%), females 704 (respond 70,4%). The attitudes toward smoking were assessed by the coverage method of self-completion of the WHO questionnaire “Knowledge and attitude of the one’s health” with the pre-formulated points. Social status was assessed by educational level — elementary, general, graduate, and family status — with or none partner. Statistics was done with the software SPSS (11.5), Statistica 7.0 and Microsoft Excel. Values of p<0,05 were taken as significant. Results . The prevalence of smoking was higher in women having partner — 17,0%, and in men with no partner — 63,4%. Men with general education and partner significantly more frequently quit smoking than single men — 23,7% and 13,6% (p<0,05; χ2 =4,28, df=1, p=0,04). Same tendency was found in graduate women (p=0,07). Men with partner and general education significantly more commonly did not smoke during the year (p<0,05), and such tendency was found in graduate men. In women with general education and partner, during the year, less number smoked (p=0,08), χ2 =2,91, df=1), but the intensity of smoking decreased (p=0,02, χ2 =4,93, df=1) compared to single females. Conclusion . By the data from open city population, there are significant differences in attitudes of men and women toward tobacco smoking; there are different vectors of smoking tendency in relation with family status and education level.