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The Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Current Smoking among College of Health Sciences Students, Mekelle University in Northern Ethiopia

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  • Tadele Eticha
  • Feven Kidane

Abstract

Background: Tobacco smoking is one of the greatest causes of preventable morbidity and mortality globally, and is responsible for many causes of untimely deaths. This survey was aimed to determine prevalence and factors associated with current smoking among the students of College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University, Ethiopia. Methods: A cross-sectional study was employed using a structured self-administered questionnaire among College of Health Sciences students in March 2013. A stratified random sampling method was employed to select study participants. Data were entered and analysed using of Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. Results: Of the 193 students, 57 (29.5%) of the students were current smokers. Most of the current smokers (89.4%) smoked between 1–10 sticks of cigarette per day. The two main reasons cited for smoking cigarettes were peer pressure (43.9%) and to relieve stress (36.8%). Being female (adjusted OR [AOR] = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.25, 0.95) and Tigre by ethnicity (AOR = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.74) were significantly less associated with current smoking. On the other hand, being second year students (AOR = 3.84; 95% CI: 1.41, 10.46), khat chewing (AOR = 8.36; 95% CI: 2.60, 26.85) and taking illicit drugs (AOR = 10.59; 95% CI: 2.77, 40.51) were positively associated with current smoking cigarettes. Conclusions: The current smoking prevalence among students in College of Health Sciences, Mekelle University is high and therefore, effective smoking prevention and cessation intervention programs are required to reduce smoking among university students.

Suggested Citation

  • Tadele Eticha & Feven Kidane, 2014. "The Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Current Smoking among College of Health Sciences Students, Mekelle University in Northern Ethiopia," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 9(10), pages 1-6, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0111033
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0111033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ilze Bogdanovica & Ann McNeill & Rachael Murray & John Britton, 2011. "What Factors Influence Smoking Prevalence and Smoke Free Policy Enactment across the European Union Member States," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(8), pages 1-6, August.
    2. OA Babatunde & OE Elegbede & LM Ayodele & OA Atoyebi & DO Ibirongbe & AO Adeagbo, 2012. "Cigarette Smoking Practices and Its Determinants Among University Students in Southwest, Nigeria," Journal of Asian Scientific Research, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 2(2), pages 62-69, February.
    3. OA Babatunde & OE Elegbede & LM Ayodele & OA Atoyebi & DO Ibirongbe & AO Adeagbo, 2012. "Cigarette Smoking Practices and Its Determinants Among University Students in Southwest, Nigeria," Journal of Asian Scientific Research, Asian Economic and Social Society, vol. 2(2), pages 62-69.
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