Demographic Factors Affecting Cigarette and Waterpipe Smoking in Hormozgan, Iran

Tobacco consumption is one of the major public health concerns worldwide which can have adverse effects on human health. An awareness of the status of tobacco consumption and identification of its affecting factors constitute the first step in tobacco control programs. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of cigarette and waterpipe consumption among residents in Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan province.

In general, 853 residents of Bandar Abbas were chosen through the cluster sampling method and by referring to their houses and interviewing them. Data were analyzed by the chi-square test, along with the odds ratio (OR) with a confidence interval (CI) of 95%.

The prevalence of cigarette and waterpipe consumption in men and women was 14.8% and 0.9%, as well as 5.6% and 5.4%, respectively. Male gender (OR=18.26; 95% CI: 6.58-50.65), marital status of those married once (OR=2.91; 95% CI: 1.24-6.85), academic education (OR=0.48; 95% CI: 0.25-0.93), father’s diploma and above (OR=0.35; 95% CI: 0.15 – 0.83), mother’s diploma and above (OR=0.36; 95% CI: 0.13-0.99) were associated with cigarette smoking. The other related factors were employee (OR=1.99; 95% CI: 1.20-3.30), self-employed (OR=3.13; 95% CI: 1.87- 5.24), and age (OR=12.57; 95% CI: 2.86-55.24 for age ≥ 50 years). No significant relationship was found between demographic factors and tobacco smoking.

Cigarette and waterpipe smoking is a multidimensional health problem and has a close relationship with different demographic and social factors. Planning for enhancing health and mitigating the damages resulting from tobacco consumption is essential for promoting healthcare.