Publication: Smoking Habit among Male Medical and Dental Students of B.P.Koirala Institute of Health Sciences, Nepal
Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Smoking and health are intimately related and thus, smoking among future health
care personnel is an important issue. As future physicians and dentists who will
witness the continued burden of smoking-related diseases among their patients,
represent a primary target for smoking prevention programs.
Objectives
To explore the magnitude of smoking problem and assess the major causes
aggravating the burden of smoking among medical and dental students.
Methods
A cross sectional study was conducted between June and July 2009 among 345
medical and dental students. Pre-tested self-administered questionnaire containing
questions regarding smoking and its various correlates were used to collect the
data. Chi square test was used for testing hypothesis.
Results
Prevalence of smoking was estimated as 38.4%, among whom majority started
smoking during 15 to 19 years of life. Peer pressure was the major cause behind
smoking (29.5%). Nearly one third of the participants used to consume alcohol
along with smoking. Presence of parental smoking and use of other drugs were
significantly associated with smoking among the students.
Conclusion
Tobacco smoking is a significant health problem among the male medical and
dental students. Medical and dental students were approached as they are the
treatment providers for smoking and disease related to it in the future. The results
in our study are discouraging and reveal that the medical knowledge regarding ill
effects of smoking has not been able to check its use.
KEY WORDS
Medical and dental students, smoking
Description
Ghimire A,1 Sharma B,2 Niraula SR,1 Devkota S,3 Pradhan PMS1
1School of Public Health and Community Medicine
2Internal Medicine
3Ex-Senior Clinical Research Officer, Kaladrug Project B.P.Koirala Institute Of Health Sciences Dharan, Nepal