Журнал тропических болезней и общественного здравоохранения

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Prevalence and Determinants of Active and Passive Cigarette Smoking among undergraduate students at Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia

Andargachew Kassa and Serawit Deyno

Background: Smoking, one of the most preventable causes of death, kills approximately 6 million people worldwide. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of smoking and its determinants among undergraduate students at Hawassa University.

Methods: Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted using structured self-administered questionnaires among 586 undergraduate students at Hawassa University. Using multi-stage sampling technique. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine determinants of tobacco use.

Results: Among 586 students participated in the study 14.8% have ever cigarette used in their life time and 7.5% used tobacco in the previous 30 days. The mean age of initiating smoking cigarette was mean (SD) (15.43 ± 2.92 years). The vast majority (69%) of undergraduate students at Hawassa University reported that they were exposed to environmental cigarette smoke. Among those reported to have cigarette smoke exposure 17% (n=397) are exposed on daily. Khat chewing and alcohol use were positive predictors whereas living with brothers and/or sisters during student’s school age were a negative predictor of smoking cigarette.

Conclusion and recommendation: Active and passive cigarette smoking are prevalent among Hawassa university undergraduate students. Ever chewing khat and ever drinking alcohol were independent predictors of smoking cigarette. We recommend a concerted effort of integrated cigarette smoking and substance use prevention campaigns in the university students.