Prevalence and Factors Related to Cigarette Smoking Initiation and Use among University Students of Bahawalpur Pakistan: A Cross Sectional study

Abstract

Background: The objective of this study was to obtain information about the prevalence of cigarette smoking among university students and the factors that stimulate students to smoke cigarette and that might influence their smoking habits.

Methods: Cross-sectional study was conducted. Self-administered questionnaire was made to collect socio demographic data, smoking deeds, smoking stimulating factors, associated illness, risk factors and smoking status.

Results: Out of total 304 students included, 82 were cigarette smokers. The mean age of the participants was 21.2 ± 0.211 years (95 CI [21.093, 21.907]. Prevalence of smoking was 26.9% [95 % confidence interval (CI) 98.2 – 105.8]. Prevalence of smoking signifi-cantly change according to the year of study. Higher proportion (34.14%) of smokers had smoked cigarette at friend house. Among smokers, about 6% had experienced asthma problem and 23% of them have cough problems. Higher percentage of non smokers were aware of injurious effects of smoking in contrast to smokers (63% vs. 36.58%, p = 0.001). The Fagerström score for nicotine dependence was low for 12.95% of them, moderate for 31.70 % and high for 46.34 %. The main causes for starting smoking were pleasure (50.70 %).

Conclusions:

Even though, prevalence of cigarette smokers in university students was lower than general populations, but this percentage is alarming and point towards rapid growth of cigarette smoking.