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Journal Article

El-Minia Medical Bulletin

12

2

170

184

ID: 64840

english

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The seriousness of health problems caused by tobacco warrents serious attention. The extent to which smokers know the health implications and addictive nature of cigarettes is critical in control of tobacco use thereby, assessment of people's understanding to the health risks of smoking can estimate public awareness which is necessary for tobacco control. This household cross-sectional study was conducted in Bany Ghany village which is 20 km south of El- Minia City with 20 000 inhabitants in September, 2000. The aim of this study was lo describe the knowledge profile of current smokers regarding smoking and its health consequences, and to measure the health toll of smoking on heavy smokers. A household survey was undertaken and the initial screening indicated that 3440 villagers are currently smoking in Bany Ghany with a total prevalence of 17.2 percent. About 20 percent of current smokers 698] were randomly selected from the total smokers to be interviewed. An interview questionnaire was used which include demographic data and smoking history, amount and duration and questions regarding knowledge and encompass most of the possible health risks posed by smoking. Of all smokers interviewed, two hundred heavy smokers 25 or more cigarettes per day] were further subjected to explicit clinical examination. About 52.3 percent of the current smokers were illiterate. 87.8 percent were married and 7 percent were unemployed. Nearly 70 percent initiated smoking as a response to peer pressure and influence of friends. Out of 698 smokers interviewed, 96 percent had the knowledge that smoking is hazardous to health which is risk taking behavior. Almost 30.8 percent were heavy smokers. 40.2 percent were moderate smokers and 29 percent were mild smokers. Nearly two-third of the sample smoke cigarettes alone, 16. 7 percent smoke in addition shisha or Goza, and only 7.9 percent smoke shisha or goza alone. Mean numbers of cigarettes smoked per day was 17.7 +/- 11 25. Mean age of the study sample was 42.1 +/- 132, the mean age of smoking initiation was 20.1 +/- 9.1, and the mean cost of smoking per month was LE 53 +/- 75.5. Mean monthly income was 150.8 +/- 106.3. Mean numbers of quitting trials was 3.2 +/- 3.1. Among the causes of failure of previous trials of quitting were lack of inner drive in 66.7 percent, peer pressure represented 15.7 percent, being not serious in 12.9 percent and lastly not convinced was reported by 4.7 percent of the smokers. Reasons behind resorting to quitting trials was found to be related to occurrence of health problems in 35.2 percent of the cases, economic strain in 20.8 percent of cases and 40. 8 percent of cases were due to the knowledge that smoking can pose health risk, and social conflicts were found to be responsible for quitting trials in 3.2 percent of cases. Mean duration of smoking was found to be significantly longer among those who denied any relation between smoking and cancer or heart disease. On interviewing and examining heavy cigarette smokers, cardiopulmonary manifestations was diagnosed in the form of chronic cough, hypertension and corpulmonale in 55 percent, 8 percent and 15 percent of the total heavy smokers respectively. Community intervention trial for smoking cessation is recommended to change smoking behavior, achieve and maintain cessation

Humans, Male, ABO Blood-Group System - 45 YEARS, Absorption - 64 YEARS, Smoking/adverse effects, Smoking, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Rural Population, Questionnaires, Epidemiologic Studies, Risk Factors, Smoking Cessation

http://pesquisa.bvsalud.org/ghl/resource/en/emro-64840

GHL; http://www.globalhealthlibrary.net/

Mahfouz,Eman M., Abdel Aleem,M. Saad, Sadek,R.