Smoking, and associated factors among military personnel in Ethiopia
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Date
2011-05
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Addis Abeba Universty
Abstract
Background: Cigarette smoking is a known risk factor for chronic diseases. It is predicted that by the 2020s there will be about 10 million tobacco related deaths annually worldwide. Improved understanding of factors that contribute to smoking initiation and cessation may help to set strategies that lead to smoking behaviour change.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of smoking, and factors associated with smoking initiation among military personnel.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted and data was obtained from 398 men and women aged 18-52 years in two Defence military academies, located in Holeta and Awash Arba, 30 km and 250 km away from Addis Ababa, respectively. Information on smoking habits, socio-demographic and psycho-social factors were collected through self-administered questionnaire, from January to February 2011. The study population was selected by systematic sampling technique after stratification was made. Data was entered using Epi Info 3.51 version and analyzed using SPSS version 15. Bivariate analysis was used to examine association between dependent and independent variables.
Result: Of 398 respondents 86 (21.6%) were current regular smokers, and 165(41.5%) reported having alcohol drinking habit. Majority of smokers were men, unmarried, low education and income status. Smoking initiation was associated with low educational status, OR (2.70, 95% CI, 1.14-6.39), and low income status, OR (3.29, 95% CI, 1.39-7.84).
Conclusion: Current smoking status was found to be associated with low educational and low income status.
Recommendation: Addressing socioeconomic and educational differences, by upgrading income status and promoting access to education and awareness raising on smoking harm will be required to reduce prevalence of smoking among military personnel.
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Reproductive Health Needs of Urban