Medical Science
Volume 25, Issue 112, June 2021
Factors influencing the initiation of smoking among Taif University students
Rania Mohammed Ahmed1, Hamid Osman1♦, Nahla. L Faizo1, Razan Aliazidi1, Marwa M. Eid2, Mohammed Elsamani1, Bahaaedin A. Elkhader1
1Radiological Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences,
Taif University; Taif, Saudi Arabia
2Physiotherapy Department, College of Applied Medical Science, Taif
University; Taif, Saudi Arabia
♦Corresponding author
Radiological Sciences Department, College of Applied Medical Sciences,
Taif University;
Taif, Saudi Arabia
ABSTRACT
Background: Tobacco is a leading source of death worldwide. Objective: estimating the prevalence, age groups, and factors influencing the initiation of smoking and varying types of tobacco. Subjects and methods: 1800 students, 18–24 years of age, from Taif University voluntarily participated in this study. An electronic questionnaire was administered to all students’ WhatsApp groups at Taif University between May and October 2020. Statistical measures were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Studies (SPSS; version 25 for Windows) Results: 1080 students (60%) were non-smokers, while 720 (40%) were smokers. 400 students (55.6%) were males. A significant association existed between gender and smoking as well as (p≤0.001). Males had a higher percentage of smoking. A significant association was existed between pocket money and smoking (p < 0.006). The most frequent places for smoking was at chalets with friends (64.3%), followed by public places (45.3%), the most frequent factors influencing smoking were friends (27.8%), family problems, and stress (22.2%). Conclusions: Reducing the general population's smoking and educating families by observing the friends of their sons and daughters and implementing strong polices were important to be better role models for juveniles.
Keywords: Smoking, Students, Factors, Initiation, Taif
Medical Science, 2021, 25(112), 1318-1325
