This study estimates the prevalence of smoking cigarettes and “beres” (folded tobacco leaf used as a cigarette) in the adolescents and young adults (15 – 24 years old). And examines its relationship using multiple logistic regression with gender, socio-economic status and residential status (in terms of rural/urban), using the data from the National Health Survey of Pakistan (NHSP) 1990-94. A two-stage stratified sample design was adopted for the NHSP. Sample of 2848 individuals for whom all information was available, was used for the design-based analysis with STATA-6. Persons who were current smokers and have had smoked atleast 100 cigarettes in their lifetime were defined as smokers. The prevalence of smoking was 7.7% in this age group. Odds Ratio (OR), and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) was calculated for the association of smoking with various demographic variables. Compared to women, men were more likely to be smokers (OR=18.2, 95% CI=9.1 – 36.4) P-value <0.0005, rural area residency status was associated with smoking compared to urban areas (OR=1.7, 95%, CI=1.2 – 2.4), P-value=0.003. The OR for the association of smoking with socio-economic status was not found to be statistically significant. Men were substantially much more likely to smoke cigarettes/beres. The results of this analysis suggest that preventive health education campaigns in Pakistan need to be focused primarily on males and in particular rural dwellers for curbing cigarette/bere smoking.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: Adolescents, International, Smoking
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Pakistan Medical Research Council
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.