NICOTINE DEPENDENCE AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH GENERAL HEALTH AMONG MALE EMPLOYEES AT URMIA UNIVERSITY OF MEDICAL SCIENCES, 2018

Smoking is one of the most common causes of death around the world, and it influences the physical and mental health of people. The rate of choosing a healthy lifestyle in men is less than that of women and the health of men working in field of health plays an important role in providing health services to people. So, the current research was conducted to examine the relationship between nicotine dependence and general health among male smokers at Urmia University of Medical Sciences. 

This descriptive-correlational study was conducted on 350 male smoker employees at Urmia University of Medical Sciences. Subjects were selected using convenient and targeted sampling. Research questionnaires included a 28-Question general health questionnaire (GHQ-28) and Fagerstrom’s Test for nicotine dependence. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through SPSS-16 software.

The mean score for nicotine dependence and general health were 3.33 ± 2.31 (range of scores was from 0 to 10) and 23.60 ± 13.27 (range of scores from 0-84), respectively. In general, findings revealed a significant and direct correlation between general health scores and nicotine dependence.

Subjects with less nicotine dependence showed a better health status. Reducing nicotine dependence can help improve physical and mental health of subjects and it can also help reduce the likelihood of depression and anxiety disorders.