Relation of smoking status and stress level:Isfahan Healthy Heart Program

Individuals are faced with numerous stressful life events which can negatively influence their mental health. Many individuals use smoking as a means of confronting stress. Given the relatively high prevalence of smoking in central Iran, the present study was conducted to compare stress levels in smokers, non-smokers, and those who had quit smoking.

This study was conducted as part of Isfahan Healthy Heart Program on 9752 individuals in the cities of Isfahan, Arak, and Najaf Abad in 2008. Sampling was performed using multistage cluster randomization method. Data on age, sex, demographic characteristics, and smoking status was collected through interviews. Stress level was detected by General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Logistic regression analysis and chi-square test were used for data analysis.

In the present study, 30% of non-smokers, 32.1% ex-smokers, and 36.9% of smokers scored 4 and higher (P = 0.01) in the GHQ. In regression analysis, the final model which was controlled for age,sex, socioeconomic status (including place of residence, marital status, and education) showed that the odds ratio of stress in smokers and ex-smokers was significantly higher than non-smokers (OR = 1.66 and OR = 1.12, respectively).

Conducted studies revealed mental problems and stresses to be significantly related with smoking. Therefore, interventions are required to reduce the prevalence of smoking in the community through interventions which provide correct methods of coping with stress.