Abstract
INTRODUCTIONThe current COVID-19 outbreak has led to sudden changes in routine and modifications in health behaviors. The study presented here investigates the changes in smoking behavior and beliefs due to the pandemic among a sample of individuals at the American University of Beirut (AUB) in Lebanon, between August and September 2020.METHODSThis is a cross-sectional exploratory study based on data collected through an anonymous, web-based questionnaire. We performed descriptive and univariate analysis on sociodemographic factors, smoking practices, smoking behavior changes, and smoking beliefs.RESULTSIn all, 197 participants (65.5% never smokers, 8.1% former smokers, and 26.4% current smokers) completed the online survey. Of these, 19.3% reported a change in their smoking behavior in the last four months, with an equal number of participants increasing and decreasing smoking. Univariate analysis showed that fear of contracting coronavirus and personal health concerns were significantly associated with a decrease in smoking. In contrast, the stress associated with the COVID-19 crisis and the economic crisis was associated with an increase in smoking.CONCLUSIONSThe current COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in unexpected alterations in routine and changes in health behaviors. A quarter of all participants said they had changed their smoking habits, with an equal percentage saying they had increased or decreased their smoking. Future research is needed to look into changes in smoking behavior in a more representative group.
Highlights
INTRODUCTION The current COVID19 outbreak has led to sudden changes in routine and modifications in health behaviors
Given the unique situation of COVID-19 and its repercussions, we aim to explore the impact of the pandemic on smoking behaviors and beliefs
Sociodemographic characteristics A total of 221 American University of Beirut (AUB) affiliates participated in the study resulting in a 17% overall response rate; of these, 24 participants did not complete the survey and were not included in the analysis
Summary
INTRODUCTION The current COVID19 outbreak has led to sudden changes in routine and modifications in health behaviors. 19.3% reported a change in their smoking behavior in the last four months, with an equal number of participants increasing and decreasing smoking. CONCLUSIONS The current COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in unexpected alterations in routine and changes in health behaviors. Health concerns, and the sudden change of routine may lead to adverse psychosocial outcomes such as stress, anxiety, depression, and increased substance use[3,4]. These factors have changed people’s eating habits, activity levels, and quality of sleep[5,6,7,8]. The fear of smoking effects on lungs and the impact of COVID-19 on lungs might encourage smokers to improve their health and quit smoking
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