Smoking habits among an Iranian population

ABSTRACT

Most surveys have shown that many diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, pulmonary and renal disorders and cancers are being appeared more in smokers or even those of quitting smoking than others have not been smoking at all. Objective[s] Therefore, we decided to do this study in order to evaluate prevalence, behavioral patterns and other smoking habits among Iranian adults. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 2569 men and women aged >= 19 years randomly selected from 40 random clusters in Isfahan and information were obtained using modified and translated World Health Organization [WHO] standard questionnaires. Blood pressure and heart rate of all participants, were measured based on standardized WHO method. Body mass index [BMI] was calculated using weight and height measurements of subjects. The prevalence of current smoking among men and women aged > 19 years was 18.8% and 1.2%, respectively, and also 26. 1 and 17.4% of nonsmoker women and men were passive smoker. Most of the passive smokers are exposed at home [82%]. More than 80% of smoker men had started smoking before the age of 20 years old. Private jobs and marriage were significantly correlated to smoking [P<0.05]. Contrary to blood pressure, BMI showed significant relationship with smoking [P<0.05]. It is concluded that higher socioeconomic level and the age of less than 20 years old play main roles in smoking prevalence in Iranian adults and therefore necessity of primary prevention in these groups are felt