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Social and Psychological Predictors of Initial Cigarette Smoking Experience: A Survey in Male College Students Publisher Pubmed



Menati W1 ; Nazarzadeh M1, 2, 3 ; Bidel Z1 ; Wurtz M4 ; Menati R1 ; Hemati R1 ; Yaghoubi M1 ; Zareimanesh E1 ; Mohammadi MS1 ; Akhlaghi Ardekani F1 ; Tazval J1 ; Delpisheh A1
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
  2. 2. Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

Source: American Journal of Men's Health Published:2016


Abstract

Knowledge about social and psychological risk factors for initial cigarette smoking experience (ICSE) is sparse. The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence of ICSE and to examine the psychological and social factors related to ICSE. In a cross-sectional survey, 1,511 male college students were recruited using multistage sampling techniques from four universities located within the city of Ilam, Iran. Self-administered multiple-choice questionnaires were distributed to students from March to June 2013. Risk factors for ICSE were evaluated using logistic regression models. Participants were 22.3 ± 2.4 years of age. ICSE prevalence was 30.6%. In multivariable adjusted analysis, risk taking behavior (odds ratio [OR] = 1.61; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.11-2.33), perceived peer smoking prevalence (OR = 2.48; 95% CI = 1.03-5.97), positive thoughts about smoking (OR = 1.06; 95% CI = 1.02-1.10), high self-efficacy (OR = 0.95, 95% CI [0.93, 0.98]), presence in smokers’ gathering (OR = 4.45; 95% CI = 2.88-6.81), comity of smokers (OR = 2.56; 95% CI = 1.66, 3.92), very hard access to cigarettes (OR = 2.20; 95% CI = 1.16-4.16), close friends’ medium reaction toward smoking (OR = 1.38; 95% CI = 1.02-1.88), and sporting activity (OR = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.56-0.98) were significantly associated with ICSE. This study identified that a combination of psychological and social variables account for up to 78% of the probability of ICSE. The most important protective factor against ICSE was physical activity, whereas the most important risk factor for ICSE was frequent gathering in the presence of smokers. © 2014, © The Author(s) 2014.