Publication: Prevalence and Factors Associated with Current Smoking Among Medical Students in Coastal South India
Date
2011
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Smoking among health care personnel such as medical students is an important public
health issue. More effective measures to reduce tobacco smoking among medical
students are needed worldwide. Very few studies had been conducted in past in India
and other developing countries to understand the magnitude of problem.
Objectives
To determine the prevalence and associated factors of current smoking among medical
students.
Methods
Cross sectional study was conducted during January and February 2009 among 333
study subjects selected randomly from four batches of a teaching institution. Subjects
were administered a self administered pre tested questionnaire and smoking status
was assessed as per the criteria laid down by WHO. Proportion, chi square test and
multiple logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.
Results
The prevalence of current smoking was found to be 22.4% (67). There were widespread
deficiencies in knowledge of smoking among students of different classes, as an
important causal factor in many diseases like gastro intestinal malignancy, heart
problems, asthma, and emphysema. It was found that only half of them were willing
to quit smoking (33). Fourth year students (OR=2.54) and presence of peer pressure
(OR=21.91) had independent significant association with current smoking.
Conclusion
Prevalence of smoking among medical students is high that warrants adoption of
comprehensive smoking control interventions among them.
KEYWORDS
Knowledge, Peer pressure, Prevalence, Smoking,
Description
Ganesh Kumar S,1 Subba SH,2 Unnikrishnan B,2 Jain A,2 Badiger S 3
1Department of Preventive and Social Medicine Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER) Puducherry, India
2Department of Community Medicine Kasturba Medical College Manipal University Mangalore, India
3KSHEMA, Mangalore, Karnataka