Smoking among university students: a gender analysis
Ahmed Mandil1, Abdulaziz BinSaeed, Shaffi Ahmad
1Department of Family & Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Saud University (KSU), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. ahmed.mandil@yahoo.com
Journal of Infection and Public Health
|December 4, 2010
Summary
Tobacco use is prevalent among King Saud University students, with higher rates in males. Peer influence and family smoking habits are key risk factors, necessitating gender-sensitive prevention programs.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Tobacco consumption remains a significant public health concern globally, particularly among young adults in academic settings.
- Understanding specific consumption patterns and risk factors within university populations is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Previous research highlights the influence of social and familial factors on adolescent and young adult tobacco use.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and patterns of tobacco use among undergraduate students at King Saud University (KSU).
- To identify independent risk factors associated with tobacco use, with a specific focus on female students.
- To inform the development of gender-sensitive tobacco prevention strategies within the university environment.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted using a modified Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) questionnaire.
- A representative sample of 7,550 undergraduate students from KSU was selected, stratified by college and gender.
- Data analysis involved estimating prevalence rates and identifying independent risk factors through statistical modeling.
Main Results:
- Overall smoking prevalence among KSU undergraduate students was 14.5%, with significantly higher rates in males (32.7%) compared to females (5.9%).
- For male students, independent risk factors included age, father's smoking, and friends' smoking habits.
- For female students, independent risk factors were sister's smoking habits and friends' smoking habits, underscoring peer influence.
Conclusions:
- Peer pressure and family smoking habits are significant determinants of tobacco use among KSU students, with gender-specific influences.
- There is a critical need for gender-sensitive tobacco prevention and cessation programs tailored to university students.
- Public health initiatives should focus on raising awareness about the health consequences of smoking, including water-pipe use, for individuals and their families.
Related Concept Videos
01:25Statistical Methods for Analyzing Epidemiological Data
Epidemiological data primarily involves information on specific populations' occurrence, distribution, and determinants of health and diseases. This data is crucial for understanding disease patterns and impacts, aiding public health decision-making and disease prevention strategies. The analysis of epidemiological data employs various statistical methods to interpret health-related data effectively. Here are some commonly used methods:
01:26Stress Prevention and Stress Management Techniques IV
Stress often leads to unhealthy habits like smoking, excessive drinking, and overeating, which offer short-term relief but ultimately increase long-term health risks. These behaviors create a cycle that temporarily lowers stress levels but can result in severe long-term health consequences. Breaking these habits is essential to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improve overall well-being. Three primary changes that support better health include quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake,...
01:50Cross-Sectional Research
In cross-sectional research, a researcher compares multiple segments of the population at the same time. If they were interested in people's dietary habits, the researcher might directly compare different groups of people by age. Instead of following a group of people for 20 years to see how their dietary habits changed from decade to decade, the researcher would study a group of 20-year-old individuals and compare them to a group of 30-year-old individuals and a group of 40-year-old...
01:11Observational Studies
Observational studies are a type of analytical study where researchers observe events without any interventions. In other words, the researcher does not influence the response variable or the experiment's outcome.
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One example of...
There are three types of observational studies – Prospective, retrospective, and cross-sectional.
Prospective Study
Prospective studies, also known as longitudinal or cohort studies, are carried out by collecting future data from groups sharing similar characteristics. One example of...
02:20Longitudinal Research
Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...