Current Smoking Prevalence Rates Research Articles

Prevalence and Determinants of Smoking and Smokeless Tobacco in the Rural Population of Karnataka, India

Background: Tobacco is known as a major cause of various preventable non-communicable diseases and kills half of all its users. With a greater prevalence in the rural community compared to the urban, this global health burden is substantially malignant. This study aimed to bridge the gap in the lack of adequate statistical information pertaining to prevalence and determinants of smoking and smokeless tobacco use in the rural population of Karnataka.Subjects and Method: This randomized community interventional study was conducted in primary health center areas of Karnataka, India. A total of 4,576 persons were interviewed (2,087 males and 2,489 females). Subjects ?30 years of age and residents for a minimum of six months were included. Mentally challenged, bedridden or differently abled subjects were excluded. The study employed a validated questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEPS questionnaire concerning demographical information, behavioral, physical, and biochemical measurements. Besides tobacco, informa-tion on use of beedis, cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco products (snuff, chewing tobacco) were also elicited. Data analysis of socio-demographic characteristics (age, educational/ marital/ occupational status) was carried out only for the participants with a current smoking habit. Data were analyzed using SPSS Version 18.0.Results: The overall prevalence rate of current smoking and smokeless tobacco habit in the study population was 54.8% (95%CI= 53.40 to 56.20) and the prevalence rate of ever/past users was 39.7% (95%CI= 38.26 to 41.10). Genderwise analysis predicted a higher prevalence of males currently smoking, and among them, most were 50 to 59 years of age (43.3%), illiterate (42.7%), widowed/ separated (39.8%), unskilled (44%), and semi-skilled workers (30%).Conclusion: Both genders participate in tobacco use, prevalence of smoking was higher among men and consumption of smokeless tobacco was higher among women. Subjects aged 50-59 years, illiterate, divorced/widowed/separated and, involved in unskilled or semi-skilled labor exhibited greater prevalence of tobacco habit compared to other determinants.Keywords: noncommunicable diseases, global health, tobacco use, tobacco smoking, smokeless tobacco. Correspondence: Dinesh Rajaram, Associate Professor. Department of Community Medicine, M.S. Ramaiah Medical college and Hospital, Bengaluru 560054, Karnataka, India. Email id.: dinesh.gayathri6@gmail.com. Mobile: +919980336893.

Tobacco Use Among Undergraduates in South-Western Nigeria: a Cross-Sectional Study

Tobacco use in tertiary institutions has continued to receive increased attention, especially in developing countries. This is not unconnected with the intensification of efforts by the tobacco industry to appeal to young people, many of whom are domiciled in higher institutions of learning. In describing the burden of tobacco use and advocating for stronger tobacco control efforts, this study aimed to explore the prevalence of tobacco use among undergraduates in two universities in Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria. This study was a cross-sectional study that used interviewer-assisted questionnaires to obtain information from 1200 undergraduates via a multistage sampling technique. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 23. The analysis included descriptive as well as chi-square statistics and p < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant. There were 646 (53.8%) males and 554 (46.2%) females, with a male–female ratio of 1.16 to 1.0. Their mean age was 21.6 (± 3.1) years with a range of 16–43 years. The prevalence rate of current smoking was significantly (X 2 = 11.64, p = 0.001) lower among medical students (0.5%) compared with other students (9.4%). The mean age at initiation of smoking among respondents was 16 (+ 2.4) years (range 8–25 years). Furthermore, 73.9% of current smokers had started smoking by their eighteenth birthday. Respondents smoked 7.7 (± 4.2) cigarettes daily, with a range of 1–21 cigarettes per day. There was a significant association between sex, level of study, and current smoking status. In the private university, more males 20.9% were current smokers than the females 4.3% (p < 0.001). Similarly, in the public university, more males 12.9% were current smokers than females 2.6% (p < 0.001). There is the need to be proactive and initiate primary prevention interventions in early adolescence while continuing to intensify tobacco control efforts within tertiary institutions to reduce the morbidity and mortality from tobacco-related illnesses, in Nigeria.

Prevalence and psychosocial risk factors associated with current cigarette smoking and hazardous alcohol drinking among adolescents in Taiwan

Cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking are the most common types of substance use and misuse (SUM) among adolescents. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and psychosocial factors associated with current cigarette smoking and hazardous alcohol drinking among adolescents in Taiwan. Data were collected via self-administered questionnaires on computers from students at 14 senior high schools in Taipei, Taiwan. Hierarchical multiple regression strategies were used to determine the risk factors for SUM. A total of 5879 participants were recruited, the majority of whom were female (56.7%). The prevalence rates of current smoking and hazardous alcohol drinking were 3.84% and 7.38%, respectively. Risk factors associated with current smoking were similar to those for hazardous alcohol drinking, including male gender, low school ranking, and depression. In addition, current smoking was associated with increasing age, hazardous alcohol drinking, and fewer parents with whom they can talk, whereas hazardous alcohol drinking was associated with current smoking, not living with both biological parents, and more peers with whom they can talk. The potential coexistence of adolescent SUM and common psychosocial correlates demands an integrated approach. Health professionals should provide corresponding intervention programs and coordinate with parents and teachers to develop an anti-SUM environment, especially for males and high-risk schools. Preventive psychiatric services as an integral part of anti-SUM strategies for adolescents targeting to depression may be useful in reducing the risk.

Current cigarette smoking among Iranian elders; what are the prevalence, inequality and socioeconomic determinants? An analysis on Iranian Rural and Urban Income-Expenditure Survey 2017

This study aims to investigate the current prevalence of smoking, socioeconomic inequality, and main determinants of it among Iranian ≥60 years in 2017. The data of Iranian Rural and Urban Income-Expenditure Survey for 2017 have been obtained from Statistical Center of Iran. The prevalence rate of current smoking, inequality of current smoking through calculating the Concentration Index, and the main socioeconomic determinants of it have been investigated. The current prevalence of tobacco use in the elderly in Iran was about 11%; of which, 9% belonged to men and 2% to women. The most prevalent current tobacco uses in the elderly belonged to the age group of 70–79 years. This rate was lower in the two other borderline groups (under 70 and over 80 years of age). Furthermore, its prevalence was higher in the unemployed and married elderly, compared to their counterparts within each subgroup. Current cigarette smoking is among health problems, especially among the elderly, and its prevalence is significant in Iran.

Association of cancer prevention awareness with esophageal cancer screening participation rates: Results from a population-based cancer screening program in rural China.

ObjectiveChina have implemented population-based esophageal cancer (EC) screening programs, however, the participant rates were relatively low. This study was conducted to examine the association between cancer prevention knowledge and EC screening participation rates (PRs).MethodsData in the analyses were obtained from a population-based cancer screening program in four provinces in China since 2007. In the course of 2007−2016, participants who were evaluated as high risk for EC and subsequently recommended for endoscopy examination were included in the final analysis. One-way analysis of variance test, Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were applied.ResultsA total of 28,543 individuals assessed as high-risk population for EC were included in this study, with 13,036 males (45.67%) and 15,507 females (54.33%). The prevalence rates of current smoking and alcohol drinking were higher in males (58.25% and 44.22%, respectively) than in females (5.35% and 4.05%, respectively). Participants of females, and those who had older age, lower income, as well as higher education level and cancer prevention knowledge level were more likely to undergo endoscopy. Multivariable analysis showed that higher cancer prevention knowledge was associated with higher PR for endoscopic screening [adjusted odd ratio (aORQ4/Q1) =1.511, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.398−1.632] among our study subjects. This association between cancer prevention knowledge and compliance with endoscopic screening also tends to be strong within subgroups of males, females, aged below 60 years, aged 60 years and above, and lower level of education (illiterate individuals and those with junior high education or less). ConclusionsOur results displayed a positive relationship between cancer prevention knowledge and PRs for endoscopic screening, implying cancer prevention awareness being an independent influence factor for compliance with EC screening. Promoting public campaigns about comprehensive knowledge of cancer prevention seemed to be a reasonable and effective strategy to improve population PRs for EC screening.

Risky Lifestyle Behaviors among Gastric Cancer Survivors Compared with Matched Non-cancer Controls: Results from Baseline Result of Community Based Cohort Study.

PurposeThis study investigated the prevalence of smoking, drinking, and physical inactivity and the associated factors of these behaviors in gastric cancer survivors.Materials and MethodsThe baseline data from the nationwide cohort study was used. Four hundred thirty-seven gastric cancer survivors who survived ≥ 2 years from diagnosis and reported completion of treatment were matched with 4,370 controls according to age, sex, education, and household income.ResultsThe prevalence rates of current smoking and drinking among gastric cancer survivors were 8.7% and 38.3%, which were significantly lower than those among matched controls (p ≤ 0.001), but the prevalence rates of physical inactivity were not significantly different (55.8% vs. 59.9%, p=0.248). In gastric cancer survivors, ≥ 5 years since cancer diagnosis and current drinking contributed to more current smoking; otherwise, age increment and femalewere associatedwith lower current smoking. Thosewith household income ≥ $2,000 and current smokers were more likely to drink and female showed less drinking. Female, currently employed state, and self-rated health status were associated with more physical inactivity.ConclusionAlthough gastric cancer survivors showed better health behaviors than controls, suggesting that the diagnosis of cancer may motivate individuals towards healthy behaviors, their current prevalence rates of smoking and drinking were still high, and more than 50% of them were physically inactive. Tailored interventions to improve their health behaviors considering associated factors for the gastric cancer survivors are necessary.

Cigarette smoking in a Middle Eastern country and its association with hospitalisation use: a nationwide cross-sectional study

ObjectivesLittle is known about the distribution of cigarette smoking by place and persons at the national level or its burden on healthcare expenditure in countries of the Middle East. We...

Risk Factors of Smoking Among Health Care Professionals

Health care professionals (HCPs) play a vital role at various levels of smoking cessation programs to reduce tobacco use in general populations. However, their smoking habits may limit their ability to intervene with their patients who smoke. To determine prevalence rates of current smoking and examine sociodemographic and work-related factors associated with current smoking among HCPs. A statewide survey was conducted in a representative sample of 4 groups of HCPs, physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and occupational therapists, with active licenses in Texas in 2003. Weighted prevalence estimates of current smoking rates were computed. Survey logistic regression analysis was used to investigate associations between individual characteristics and current smoking. There were 3600 HCPs included in the analysis. The overall prevalence of current smoking was 9% with the highest prevalence (16%) recorded among respiratory therapists and the lowest prevalence (3%) recorded among physicians. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis non-Hispanic white HCPs were almost 4 times as likely to be current smokers (adjusted odds ratio= 3.95, 95% confidence interval = 1.24-12.59) and those working for 50 hours or more per week were twice as likely to be current smokers (adjusted odds ratio = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.20-3.57). Compared with physicians, all other HCP groups had significantly greater odds of currently smoking. HCPs who were female and resided or worked in rural settings had higher smoking rates in univariable analysis only (P < .05). Smoking is prevalent among certain HCP groups. Working long hours was identified as an important occupational factor associated with current smoking.

Prevalence and Correlates of Cigarette Smoking among Chinese Schizophrenia Inpatients Receiving Antipsychotic Mono-Therapy

ObjectiveTo investigate the prevalence rate of cigarette smoking and its socio-demographic and clinical correlates in Chinese schizophrenia inpatients receiving antipsychotic mono-therapy.MethodsThis study was a cross-sectional, two-site, hospital-based survey. Four hundred and twenty-nine schizophrenia patients (male/female: 66.9% vs. 33.1%) were consecutively recruited from psychosis inpatient wards of two large specialty psychiatric hospitals in mainland China. Patients were assessed using a cigarette smoking questionnaire, the Positive and Negative Symptom Scale, the Simpson Angus Scale, the Barnes Akathisia Rating Scale, and the Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale. Socio-demographic and other clinical data were also collected. We calculated the prevalence of current smoking in our sample as well as its indirectly standardized prevalence ratio (ISPR) using data from the 2010 Global Adult Tobacco Survey in China.ResultsThe prevalence rate of current smoking was 40.6% in our sample, and 57.5% in males and 6.3% in females. The ISPRs of all patients, men and women were 1.11(95%CI: 0.95∼1.29), 1.07(95%CI = 0.91∼1.24) and 4.64(95%CI = 2.12∼8.82), respectively. The overall and male-specific prevalence of current smoking did not differ significantly between patients and the general population. In multiple logistic regression analysis, male sex, older age, poor marital status, alcohol use, use of first-generation antipsychotics, longer duration of illness, more frequent hospitalizations, and more severe negative symptoms were independently associated with current smoking.ConclusionMale Chinese inpatients with schizophrenia who received a mono-therapy of antipsychotics were not more likely to smoke than the general population. Cigarette smoking is more common in schizophrenia patients with more severe illness.

Patterns and socioeconomic influences of tobacco exposure in tobacco cultivating rural areas of Yunnan Province, China

BackgroundThis study describes the patterns and socioeconomic influences of tobacco use among adults in tobacco-cultivating regions of rural southwest China.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in 8681 adults aged ≥18 years in rural areas of Yunnan Province, China from 2010 to 2011. A standardized questionnaire was administered to obtain data about participants’ demographic characteristics, individual socioeconomic status, ethnicity, self-reported smoking habits, and exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS). The socioeconomic predictors of current smoking, nicotine addiction, and SHS exposure were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression.ResultsThe prevalence rates of tobacco use were much higher in men compared with women (current smoking 68.5% vs. 1.3%; and nicotine dependence 85.2% vs. 72.7%). However, the rate of SHS exposure was higher in women compared with men (76.6% vs. 70.5%). Tobacco farmers had higher prevalence rates of current smoking, nicotine dependence, and SHS exposure compared with participants not engaged in tobacco farming (P<0.01). Most tobacco users (84.5%) reported initiating smoking during adolescence. A total of 81.1% of smokers smoked in public places, and 77.6% smoked in workplaces. Individuals belonging to an ethnic minority had a lower probability of SHS exposure and nicotine dependence. Individual educational level was found to be inversely associated with the prevalence of current smoking, exposure to SHS, and nicotine dependence. Higher annual household income was associated with a greater risk of nicotine dependence.ConclusionsThis study suggests that tobacco control efforts in rural southwest China must be tailored to address tobacco-cultivating status and socioeconomic factors.

Prevalence and characteristics of cigarette smokers among undergraduates of the University of Ilorin, Nigeria

Smoking control is urgently needed to prevent the epidemic of tobacco-related diseases and deaths in developing countries. This requires data on smoking, especially among vulnerable groups like students. We have surveyed cigarette smoking among undergraduates of the University of Ilorin, in the North Central region of Nigeria. This was a questionnaire-based survey among undergraduates of the University of Ilorin. A total of 1800 students were selected by multistage random sampling. A total of 1754 students (234 medical and 1520 non-medical students) completed the questionnaires. They were 1148 (65.5%) males and 606 (34.5%) females with a mean age of 21.6 ± 3.1 years. The prevalence rate of current smoking was 5.7% (males 7.7%, females 2.0%) and of ever smoking was 17.1% (males 22.9%, females 6.2%). Smoking was more common in non-medical students. Eighty-three (83.8%) of the smokers had already started smoking by their eighteenth birthday. Fifty-one (51.5%) of them smoked ≤ 5 sticks of cigarettes daily. Most of them were influenced into smoking by peer pressure and commercial advertisements. Sixty-seven (67.6%) of them believed that smoking could never have a negative impact on their health status and quality of life and just 39 (39.4%) smokers were willing to quit. Despite the low prevalence rate of smoking in the studied population, a majority of them were not willing to quit because of a low perception of the negative effects of smoking on their health and quality of life. Comprehensive antismoking campaigns were urgently needed to control cigarette smoking among University undergraduates in Nigeria.

Hyperplastic Polyposis Syndrome Is Associated With Cigarette Smoking, Which May Be a Modifiable Risk Factor

Hyperplastic polyposis syndrome (HPS) confers an increased risk of colorectal cancer and is difficult to manage clinically. Because both polyps and resultant cancers display the CpG island methylator phenotype and mutation of the BRAF oncogene, and because sporadic cancers with these characteristics are associated with cigarette smoking, we hypothesized that cigarette smoking may predispose to the development of HPS. This was a case-control study with two independent control series conducted at a tertiary hospital in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Cases comprised patients with HPS (n=32) recruited through the database of the Queensland Familial Bowel Registry, who satisfied the World Health Organization international classification for HPS. Cases were compared with colonoscopy controls (n=298) defined as consecutive patients undergoing colonoscopy for clinical indications, who were free from polyps. We also compared cases with a second set of population controls (n=645) selected at random from a population register serving the catchment area for cases. This was an observational study, and all participants completed a questionnaire to obtain a comprehensive smoking history. The prevalence rate of current smoking was 47% in HPS patients, 17% in colonoscopy controls, and 12% in population controls. HPS patients were significantly more likely to be current smokers than were either colonoscopy controls (odds ratio (OR)=8.3, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.0-22.9) or population controls (OR=12.7, 95% CI: 4.9-33.1). Cigarette smoking is strongly associated with HPS, thus suggesting that smoking exposure may increase the expression of this condition. Further studies should examine the possible benefits of quitting smoking in HPS patients.

Smoking trends among Filipino adults in California, 1990–2002

Objectives Filipinos comprise about 18% of the Asian/Pacific Islander American (APIA) population and are increasing. Few studies have examined Filipino current smoking prevalence rates (CSPR) and none have described trends over time. Methods Trends in CSPR were estimated for Filipinos and non-Hispanic whites (NHW) from 1990–2002 from the California Tobacco Surveys ( N > 42,000/year). Results CSPR for Filipino males declined: 23.7% (95% CI: 18.7, 28.7) in 1990 to 18.7% (15.3, 22.1) in 2002 ( p < 0.05). The decline in CSPR for Filipino women was non-significant ( p = 0.24), 9.8% (5.5, 14.1) in 1990 and 7.7% (5.3, 10.1) in 2002. During the same period, CSPR among NHW males declined: 24.4% (23.8, 25.0) in 1990 to 18.8% (18.1, 19.4) in 2002 ( p < 0.01). For female NHW, CSPR were 21.3% (20.5, 22.0) in 1990 and 15.0% (14.4, 15.6) in 2002 ( p < 0.01). Adjusted logistic regression for Filipinos suggest that English language use is associated with current smoking among females ( p < 0.01) and that, overall, 18–29 year-olds were more likely to be current smokers than those 45+ years old ( p < 0.01). Conclusion Trends for male Filipino current smokers declined similarly to male NHW from 1990–2002; female rates were lower but did not decline. Future smoking prevention and cessation programs would benefit by taking into account important differences in smoking rates between genders and age groups.

Trends in educational inequalities in smoking in northern, mid and southern Italy, 1980–2000

Background. We aimed to determine the direction and magnitude of socioeconomic inequality in smoking in Italy over the last two decades, focusing on both national and macro-regional patterns. Methods. We used data from six National Health Interview Surveys from 1980 to 2000, whose sample size ranged between 60,000 and 140,000. We calculated age-adjusted prevalence rates of current smoking and estimated odds ratios (OR) and relative indexes of inequality (with 95% confidence intervals) using logistic regression analysis. Results. In men aged 25–49, the OR of current smoking of low compared to high educated was 1.26 (95% CI: 1.16, 1.37) in 1980 and 1.71 (95% CI: 1.62, 1.80) in 2000. A reversal of the association between education and tobacco use from positive (OR = 0.43) to negative (OR = 1.12) was found for women of the same age group. Changes in educational inequalities in smoking were similar between different macro-regions for men, whereas among women, smaller differentials over all the study period were found in southern regions compared to central and northern regions, despite similar direction in trends. Conclusions. The gap between high- and low-educated groups has widened, especially in the youngest generations. Southern regions lag behind central and northern Italy in the progression of the smoking epidemic.