Exploring the Association Between Cigarette Consumption and Health-Related Quality of Life: Insights From University Students in Bangladesh
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Published on: February 12, 2015
Noushin Nohor1, Md Mahadi Hassan1, Md Fakhrul Islam Maruf1
1Department of Public Health and Informatics Jahangirnagar University Dhaka Bangladesh.
Background:
Cigarette smoking remains a major public health challenge and is increasingly prevalent among young adults in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although the long-term health consequences of smoking are well established, its association with the health-related quality of life (HRQoL), especially among university students, is less explored from the perspective of LMICs like Bangladesh.
Objective:
This study aimed to examine the association between daily cigarette consumption and HRQoL among Bangladeshi university students.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 487 university students. HRQoL was assessed using the pre-validated Bengali version of the SF-36 scale, with lower scores indicating poorer quality of life. Daily cigarette consumption was categorized as nonsmoker (0), 1-3 cigarettes/day, 4 and 5 cigarettes/day, and ≥6 cigarettes/day. Unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models were used to evaluate the association between smoking intensity and HRQoL, controlling for relevant sociodemographic factors.
Results:
A significant association was observed between cigarette consumption and HRQoL. Compared with heavy smokers (≥6 cigarettes/day), nonsmokers had significantly higher HRQoL scores (adjusted β = 22.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.0-27.0, p < 0.001). Participants smoking 1-3 cigarettes/day (adjusted β = 17.0, 95% CI: 11.0-24.0, p < 0.001) and 4-5 cigarettes/day (adjusted β = 12.0, 95% CI: 4.9-18.0, p < 0.001) also demonstrated progressively better HRQoL. The findings indicate worsening HRQoL with increasing smoking intensity.
Conclusion:
Daily cigarette consumption shows a strong and graded inverse association with HRQoL among university students. These results highlight a significant association between the number of cigarettes consumed and the HRQoL among university students, underscoring the importance of early smoking reduction and cessation strategies targeting young adults.
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