Global Advanced Research Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences (GARJMMS) ISSN: 2315-5159
December 2015 Special Issue Vol. 4(12), pp. 556-561
Copyright © 2015 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Smoking Habit and it is Determinants Among Students of Health Colleges in Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ibrahim A. Eljack¹*, Naif A. Alghamdi², Faisal G. Alzahrani² and Saaeed D Alzahrani²

¹Department of Community and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia
²Medical interns, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia

*Corresponding Author E-mail: aljack123@yahoo.com

Accepted 07 December, 2015

Abstract

Smoking is considered as a major health problem causing a public health threat, which is gradually increasing all over the world. The present study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of smoking habits and it is determinants among male students at the health colleges of Al-Baha University in Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey was conducted during the period from the beginning of September 2016 to the end of October 2016 in Al-Baha University, Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia. Simple random sampling technique of male undergraduate students from the health colleges was used. Presenting a pretested questionnaire for 327 under graduated males students for information collection. The overall prevalence of smoking found to be 27.5% (90/327). The common reason given for the smoking habit was the Desire (36.3%). Being in the health field of study increase the awareness of 91.4% of the students about the smoking and it is effect. The study showed that 30% of current smokers were motivated to stop smoking. Smoking habit was more prevalent among married than unmarried students and the prevalence increase with age; these associations were statistically significant (P < 0.001). The smoking habit was significantly associated with the type of college (P < 0.001) and it was increased among Applied Science College followed by the Medicine College and finally the Pharmacy College. There was a high prevalence rate of smoking habit among male students at the Health Colleges of Al-Baha University in Al-Baha, Saudi Arabia. Smoking habit was more prevalent among married students; affected by the type of Health College and the prevalence increase with age. Measures including antismoking promotion program, supported by laws addressing smoking habit predictors and targeting health colleges’ students and their friends, families and other university members should be taken by health and higher education authorities. Provision of health care services and smoking cessation clinics in the health colleges and university settings can reduce this high prevalence of smoking and promote the students to quit smoking successfully and without relapse.

Keywords: Smoking habit, Prevalence, Students of health colleges, Al-Baha University, Saudi Arabia.