Over 72pc smokers stimulated by friends, inmates
Sunday, 24 October 2010
More than 72 per cent of smokers between 26 and 40 years of age are mostly influenced by friends and inmates in addiction to smoking, according to a study, reports UNB.
Among the people under study, nearly 45 per cent of the smokers were habituated with smoking for more than 20 years and only about 10 per cent were smoking for less than five years.
A group of students of Chittagong Medical College under the department of Community Medicine conducted the study on the habit of smoking among the male population in rural areas. The study was conducted in selected rural areas.
Smoking is one of the important public health-related problems in the country's health services. Keeping this in mind, a descriptive cross sectional study was designed and conducted in four villages of Mirsharai in Chittagong.
A total of 248 respondents were chosen by purposive sampling. It was observed in the survey that 59.3 per cent of the respondents were smoker while 25.4 per cent were non-smokers and only 15.3 per cent were ex-smokers.
The study found that among the smokers, 72.41 per cent were found from 26-40 years of age group and it was also observed that nearly 45 per cent of the smokers were habituated with smoking for more than 20 years and only about 10 per cent were smoking for less than five years.
The study revealed that 60 per cent of the respondents were stimulated by friends and inmates, and among the smokers, less than a quarter, 22.6 per cent, started smoking due to the influence from senior people and neighbours.
Half of the smokers knew that smoking was related to cancer. About 29.8 per cent knew about the effects on respiratory illness while 11.5 per cent knew about hypertension and other diseases. Smoking in public places is prohibited was known to 79.84 per cent of the respondents.
The study mentioned that more than half, 55.3 per cent of ex-smokers, ceased smoking after they had become diseased, 13.1 per cent at doctor's advice, 7.9 per cent for religious cause and only 7.7 per cent at family advice.
This study revealed that middle class respondents were more (61.5 per cent) smoker than the lower (50 per cent) and upper (43.7 per cent) class groups of respondents. It was also found that 26-40 years age groups were more (72.41 per cent) smoker than all other aged respondents and none of them were reported less than 15 years of age.
About 94.11 per cent of the younger people and those of 16-25 years age group desired to give up smoking. This study reflected the urgent need for cessation sessions for the younger people to quit smoking.
Among the people under study, nearly 45 per cent of the smokers were habituated with smoking for more than 20 years and only about 10 per cent were smoking for less than five years.
A group of students of Chittagong Medical College under the department of Community Medicine conducted the study on the habit of smoking among the male population in rural areas. The study was conducted in selected rural areas.
Smoking is one of the important public health-related problems in the country's health services. Keeping this in mind, a descriptive cross sectional study was designed and conducted in four villages of Mirsharai in Chittagong.
A total of 248 respondents were chosen by purposive sampling. It was observed in the survey that 59.3 per cent of the respondents were smoker while 25.4 per cent were non-smokers and only 15.3 per cent were ex-smokers.
The study found that among the smokers, 72.41 per cent were found from 26-40 years of age group and it was also observed that nearly 45 per cent of the smokers were habituated with smoking for more than 20 years and only about 10 per cent were smoking for less than five years.
The study revealed that 60 per cent of the respondents were stimulated by friends and inmates, and among the smokers, less than a quarter, 22.6 per cent, started smoking due to the influence from senior people and neighbours.
Half of the smokers knew that smoking was related to cancer. About 29.8 per cent knew about the effects on respiratory illness while 11.5 per cent knew about hypertension and other diseases. Smoking in public places is prohibited was known to 79.84 per cent of the respondents.
The study mentioned that more than half, 55.3 per cent of ex-smokers, ceased smoking after they had become diseased, 13.1 per cent at doctor's advice, 7.9 per cent for religious cause and only 7.7 per cent at family advice.
This study revealed that middle class respondents were more (61.5 per cent) smoker than the lower (50 per cent) and upper (43.7 per cent) class groups of respondents. It was also found that 26-40 years age groups were more (72.41 per cent) smoker than all other aged respondents and none of them were reported less than 15 years of age.
About 94.11 per cent of the younger people and those of 16-25 years age group desired to give up smoking. This study reflected the urgent need for cessation sessions for the younger people to quit smoking.