KUMJ | VOL. 9 | NO. 4 | ISSUE 36 | OCT-DEC, 2011

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Current Smoking Among Medical Students in Coastal South India
Ganesh Kumar S, Subba SH, Unnikrishnan B, Jain A, Badiger S

Background

Smoking among health care personnel such as medical students is an important public

health issue. More effective measures to reduce tobacco smoking among medical

students are needed worldwide. Very few studies had been conducted in past in India

and other developing countries to understand the magnitude of problem.

Objectives

To determine the prevalence and associated factors of current smoking among medical

students.

Methods

Cross sectional study was conducted during January and February 2009 among 333

study subjects selected randomly from four batches of a teaching institution. Subjects

were administered a self administered pre tested questionnaire and smoking status

was assessed as per the criteria laid down by WHO. Proportion, chi square test and

multiple logistic regression analysis were used for statistical analysis.

Results

The prevalence of current smoking was found to be 22.4% (67). There were widespread

deficiencies in knowledge of smoking among students of different classes, as an

important causal factor in many diseases like gastro intestinal malignancy, heart

problems, asthma, and emphysema. It was found that only half of them were willing

to quit smoking (33). Fourth year students (OR=2.54) and presence of peer pressure

(OR=21.91) had independent significant association with current smoking.

Conclusion

Prevalence of smoking among medical students is high that warrants adoption of

comprehensive smoking control interventions among them.