Some Determinant Factors (Risk and Protective Factors) for Smoking

Background: Smoking is responsible for numerous fatal or non-fatal health disorders which includes 
cancer of lung, larynx, stomach, liver, leukemia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 
cardiovascular disease, vascular dementia, asthma attacks, macular degeneration and peripheral 
vascular disease. Aim of the work: This study was carried out to identify the effect of some 
determinants factors either influence or decrease smoking, among 242 male medical students at AlAzhar University, Assuit branch. Subjects and Methods: A total of 242 male medical students were 
subjected to an interview sheet including socio-demographic characteristics, some determinants 
factors for smoking. Results: The study analyzed data about prevalence and determinants of smoking 
among 242 male medical students at Al-Azhar University, Assuit branch. The mean age of the studied 
sample was 20.8 ± 1.9 with a range 18 – 25 years. All of them were cigarette smokers. the prevalence 
of smoking among the studied group is 21.1% and the highest prevalence is among 5th year students 
while the lowest one is among the1st year students. Smoking is doubled at age 21 year or more 
compared to those less than 21 years (28% vs. 14.8%). The mean age of starting smoking is 19.2 
years, ranged from 15 – 24 years. Smoking is significantly among students with small family size 
(28.6%) & those whose family income is enough to save from it (35.2%), compared with students 
with large family size (17.1%) & those whose family income is not enough to their daily needs 
(8.8%). Smoking is more prevalent among students whose parents are less educated and their father's 
jobs are non-professional. Smoking significantly increases when both parents are smokers (92.3% 
compared with 38.8% when only one & 8% when none of them is smoker). Presence of smokers 
among close colleagues is associated with significant increase in prevalence of smoking (47.1% vs. 
6.5%). Presence of other smokers within the house also leads to significantly higher prevalence of 
smoking among students (39.4% vs. 13.5%). Smoking is significantly reduced (11.4%) among those 
regularly practicing sports compared to (25.8%) among those not practicing or sometimes practicing 
sports. Conclusion and Recommendations prevalence of smoking is higher among students who live 
away from their families, with rural place of origin, with family size less than five and those their 
family income is sufficient and capable to save. Parental education & occupation affect the prevalence 
of student smoking in a reciprocal manner. As they go up, prevalence of smoking decreases. Most of 
the students favor the good example i.e. doctors, parents, and teachers. Also they favor the restriction 
of sale of cigarettes and appreciated the importance of the role of Television in antismoking campaign 
and prevention of smoking in public places. Some of the students stress on the role of religious 
leaders in the anti-smoking campaign.