Factors Associated with Cigarette Smoking in Central Parts of Iran

Abstract

<br /> <strong><span style="font-size: small;">Background: </span></strong><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">This study aims to assess factors associated with cigarette smoking in central parts of Iran</span></span><strong><span style="font-size: small;">. Materials and methods: </span></strong><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">We used the data of the post intervention phase of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP) that was conducted in 2007. Logistic regression was used for calculating crude and adjusted Odds Ratios (OR). The group with the least prevalence of smoking was considered as the Reference Group (RG) and the OR for other parts of the variable </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">was calculated based on the RG and reported with a confidence interval of 95%. </span></span><strong><span style="font-size: small;">Findings: </span></strong><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">Generally, 9513 individuals participated in the study, of which 13.5% were smokers (26.2% of men and 0.8% of women). The OR for cigarette </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">smoking in men compared with women in (RG) was 13.89 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 7.44–24.82). Among rural areas, compared with urban areas in (RG), the OR was 0.98 (95% CI 0.82–1.15); and among elementary education level compared to illiterate individuals the OR was 4.37 (95% CI 1.68–10.76). The OR in individuals in the age group 35–44, compared with the age group of 65 and older in (RG) was 2.49 (95% CI 1.81–3.45). The place most used for </span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">cigarette smoking was streets (72.1%); and the main reason for starting or continuing cigarette smoking, according to smokers' opinions, was pleasure and fun</span></span><strong><span style="font-size: small;">. Conclusion: </span></strong><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman,Times New Roman; font-size: small;">The highest number of smokers was in 35-44 years men, in rural areas, with elementary education level; so, they are the ones who need more attention through implementation of educational programs for awareness, improved attitudes and practices, and smoking cessation programs. </span></span>