CIGARETTE SMOKING IN A RURAL COMMUNITY OF THE NIGER DELTA; A STUDY OF ITS PREVALENCE AND CORRELATES

*Alikor Chizindu A. and Nyeche Ovunda

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Cigarette smoking which is a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease is a very important cause of preventable and premature death worldwide accounting for about seven million death yearly with direct tobacco use accounting for over six million of these deaths and the rest from second-hand smoking. This study was aimed at determining the prevalence and correlates of cigarette smoking in a rural community of the Niger Delta Region. Methods: This is a cross sectional study involving five hundred and seventy two adults in a rural community in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. A questionnaire administered by face-face interview was used to obtain socio-demographic data including age, gender, occupation, educational level, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption. Smoking questions included don’t Smoke, stopped Smoking, currently Smokes and the pack years. Results: The mean age was 39.08±17.5 with a range of 18 years to 95 years. Male to female ratio was 1:2.6. The prevalence of smoking (Ex-smoker and Current smoker) was 6.6 % with current smokers being 3% and was significantly commoner in males than in females (P< 0.001). The prevalence of ex- and current smokers among males was 23.1%. Females constituted only 0.2% of the smoking prevalence of both Ex and Current-smokers. Amongst those who smoke, over 3/4 smoked less than 10 cigarette a day. Cigarette smoking was most prevalent in the age group of 40 to 49 years in males. Physical inactivity, occupation of study participants, Waist-Hip-Ratio and gender of study participants were found to be correlates of cigarette smoking in this study Conclusion: There high prevalence of cigarette smoking among males in this rural community.

Keywords: ..