Prevalence and factors associated with smoking cessation among elderly in Malaysia- A findings from the population-based study

ABSTRACT

@#Introduction The information of prevalence and associated factor(s) with smoking cessation among the elderly will assist in formulating the suitable policies and reducing the mortality among Malaysian elderly due to smoking-related diseases. This paper aims to describe the prevalence and factors associated with smoking cessation among Malaysian elderly. Methods We carried out the population-based study using the cross-sectional study design and a sample size of 2,674 respondents obtained via a multistage sampling method. Validated questionnaire and face-to-face interviews approach were the methodologies employed to collect data from the selected respondents. The interview was conducted by trained enumerator using a standardized and validated questionnaire. Descriptive and multiple logistic regression were used in data analysis. Results The present findings demonstrated that almost 1 out of 10 of Malaysian elderly are current smokers. The prevalence of smoking was significantly higher among men (28.1%) compared to women (2.9%). Multivariable analysis showed that females (AOR 2.33, 95 CI 1.66-4.55) and those with advancing age were more likely to stop smoking compared to the younger-aged elderly (70-74 year, AOR 2.38(95 CI 1.24-4.53), 75 year and above, AOR 2.82, (95CI, 1.57-5.05. 60-64 years as reference), whiles other ethnicities (AOR 0.11, 95 CI 0.02-0.61) were less likely to cease smoking compared to elderly from Chinese descent. Based on multivariate analysis, diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolemia were not significant factors associated with smoking cessation. Conclusions The study has shown a low proportion of Malaysian elderly is ex- smoker. Suitable measures and programmes should be formulated and implemented to focus on the elderly groups identified in this study, to increase the quit smoking rate among them and subsequently to increase the quality of life by reducing the burden of smoking-related disease among the Malaysian elderly. Keywords Malaysian elderly - smoking cessation - chronic diseases.