[Epidemiology of smoking in an Iranian population [Semnan province]: a population-based study]

ABSTRACT

Cigarette smoking is a known cause of systemic disorders such as bronchogenic carcinoma and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to estimate prevalence of smoking in 30-70 year old men in Semnan province in Iran. This survey was conducted in a sample population of 1695 men 30-70 years old, in October 2005 to February 2006 in both rural and urban areas of Semnan province. A multistage clustered sampling was performed with, first, 760 clusters [households] selected randomly using a systematic sampling technique. Then one or two more households in the neighborhood of each of the former households were also selected. Finally, in each household a 30-70 year old person was randomly selected and asked to complete a questionnaire. The overall prevalence of current cigarette smoking in men 30-70 years old was 24.1% [95% confidence interval 22.1-26.1%].18.3% of them were daily and 5.8% occasional smokers. 26.8% of rural and 23.0% city resistant adults were cigarette smokers [P=0.053]. Prevalence of cigarette smoking in under 40, 40-49, 50-59 and >/= 60 years were 21.1%, 32.6%, 25.1% and 11.9%, respectively [all, P<0.001]. 19.7% of illiterates, 24.9% of primary, 30.8% of intermediate, 25.4% of high school and 11.8% of university level education were cigarette smokers[P<0.001]. 46.6% of them before, and 39.2% between 21-30 years have started cigarette smoking. Mean [ +/- SD] age for starting cigarette smoking was 24.1 +/- 8.0 years. Prevalence of cigarette smoking in Semnan, Damghan, Garmsar and Shahrood were 22.5, 23.2, 27.6 and 23.4% [P=0.554], respectively. Only 0.1% and 1.6% of them were pipe and tobacco smokers, respectively. 0.4% tobacco smoking was simultaneously with cigarette smoking. 15.2% non-cigarette smokers were passive smokers. Overall, 39.3% of Semnan province adults, aged 30-70 years, were active or passive cigarette smokers. Findings showed that prevalence of cigarette smoking in Semnan province in adults aged 30-70 years is high. Therefore, a community-based multiple strategies are required to combat with increasing rate of cigarette smoking and its complications