Abstract
Background and aimSmoking is still a public health concern in many countries, especially among young adults. Consequently, we determined what factors affect university students’ smoking behavior in Turkey.MethodsThis cross-sectional study was conducted between March and June 2017 using a simple random sampling method. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on participants’ (N = 2,505; mean age = 20.9 ± 2.5 years; 58.9% women) sociodemographic characteristics, cigarette smoking status, and related risk factors. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed with the Backward likelihood-ratio method.ResultsStudents were completing either two- or four-year degrees (45.6% and 54.4%, respectively). Regarding familial smoking behavior, 36.1% had a father who smoked, 10.3% had a mother who smoked, and 15.0% had siblings who smoked. Among participants, 27.9% were current smokers: 46% of the men and 15.3% of the women. Mean smoking onset age was 16.34 ± 2.72 years (15.65 ± 2.67 years for men and 16.34 ± 2.72 for women (p < .05). Mean Fagerströmtest score was 4.43 ± 1.82, and women had lower test scores than did men (p < .05). After controlling for potential confounders in multivariate analyses, five factors were significantly positively associated with current smoking: being a man (odds ratio (OR): 3.43; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.75–4.28), studying in a two-year program (OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.39–2.18), having at least one immediate family member who smoked (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.31–2.04), having all close friends who smoked (OR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.40–2.33), and alcohol consumption (OR: 4.39; 95% CI: 3.51–5.49).ConclusionThere was a higher smoking rate among our study population, both compared to similar national studies and Turkey’s overall smoking rate. Underlying factors should be evaluated via qualitative studies and preventive strategies should be implemented accordingly.
Highlights
Cigarettes are the most commonly used form of tobacco and one of the major causes of preventable diseases globally [1]
After controlling for potential confounders in multivariate analyses, five factors were significantly positively associated with current smoking: being a man (odds ratio (OR): 3.43; 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.75–4.28), studying in a two-year program (OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.39–2.18), having at least one immediate family member who smoked (OR: 1.63; 95% CI: 1.31–2.04), having all close friends who smoked (OR: 1.81; 95% CI: 1.40–2.33), and alcohol consumption (OR: 4.39; 95% CI: 3.51–5.49)
We showed that being a man, studying in two-year faculties, having all close friends who smoked, having at least one smoker family member, and consuming alcohol were positively associated with increased current smoking risks
Summary
Cigarettes are the most commonly used form of tobacco and one of the major causes of preventable diseases globally [1]. Turkey’s smoking prevalence among individuals aged older than 15 years was 44.5% in 1988; after anti-tobacco policies were implemented, that rate decreased to 33.6% in 1993. In 2004, Turkey signed the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control with the WHO, and, by 2008, the smoking rate for that population decreased slightly to 31.2% [4]. A recent study explained that, despite the strict anti-tobacco policies and decreased legal tobacco product sales, as of 2006, the Turkish current smoking rate had plateaued after a 20-year decline. This still leaves Turkey with a higher smoking rate than other countries, such as the United States [5].
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