Association Between Cigarette Smoking and Socio-Emographics, Lifestyle and Mental Health Factors in a Sampled Iranian Population



Rajabizadeh G¹ ; Ramezani MA² ; Roohafza H³ ; Pourdamghan N⁴ ; Khosravi A³ ; Rabiei K³ ; Sarrafzadegan N³ ; Toghianifar N³ ; Zarfeshani S³
Source: Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health Published:2011

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between cigarette smoking and socio-economic variable in an Iranian male population. Isfahan Healthy Heart Program (IHHP) is a community oriented health study from which we obtained our data regarding male subjects. Socio-demographic variables-sex, age, marital status, educational level, occupation, and income-and physical activity level were derived from the questionnaire. Nutritional status was asked by the Food Frequency Questionnaire and the general dietry index (GDI) was calculated. A general health questionnaire (GHQ) comprised of 12 items was used to assess mental health. Smoking status was investigated by a self reported questionnaire as a dependent variable. A logistic regression model was used for statistical analysis. Current smokers comprised 26.2% of respondents while 8.5% were ex-smokers. High income (OR 2.04; 95%CI 1.13-3.67), GDI (OR 1.83; 95%CI 1.44-2.32) and high stress (GHQ≥4 OR 1.71; 95%CI 1.48-2) were associated with smoking. Older age (OR 0.991; 95%CI 0.985-0.998), university education level (OR 0.53; 95%CI 0.37-0.77), unemployment (OR 0.8; 95%CI 0.64-0.99) and obesity (BMI≥25 kg/m2 OR 0.63; 95%CI 0.55-0.73) were associated with non-smoking status. Our findings confirm an association between socio-demographics, lifestyle and mental health variables with smoking in the Iranian population, consistent with other studies worldwide. These factors should be considered when developing smoking cessation strategies.