PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Hasim, Talal J.
TI  - Smoking habits of students in College Of Applied Medical Science, Saudi Arabia
DP  - 2000 Jan 01
TA  - Saudi Medical Journal
PG  - 76--80
VI  - 21
IP  - 1
4099  - http://smj.org.sa/content/21/1/76.short
4100  - http://smj.org.sa/content/21/1/76.full
SO  - Saudi Med J2000 Jan 01; 21
AB  - OBJECTIVE: To establish a baseline data on the smoking habits of health science students in a Saudi Arabian university environment.METHODS: The participating subjects were students of the College of Applied Medical Sciences within the age range of 18 to 26. An experimental design with pre-structured questionnaires, and simple random sampling was administered to 712 participants by a panel of experts in behavioral health sciences.RESULTS: Out of 647 respondents, 186 (29%) were current smokers. Of those that indicated that they were currently smokers, 127 (20%) were male and 59 (9%) were female. The 20-24 year old age group exhibited the highest prevalence of smoking (P<0.000). Major factors influencing the smoking prevalence were the smoking habits of peers, siblings, and parents (P<0.005). Most of the respondents appeared to be “Light Smokers”, consuming less than 10 cigarettes per day. When asked of their awareness of the health hazards of smoking, 73% of the respondents answered that they were aware of the hazards. Of those that smoked, 70% expressed a desire to cease cigarette smoking. Media influence was considered to be the major source of information on the health consequences of cigarette smoking.CONCLUSION: Cigarette smoking is prevalent among students of health care professionals. Author advocates a collaborative effort in order to alleviate the consequences of cigarette smoking among health professionals. This effort must embody a multidisciplinary approach that includes legislators, mass media, public education and health professionals at all levels.