Epidemiology of smoking among adult women population of Semnan province, Iran

Smoking is a known cause of systemic disorders such as bronchogenic carcinoma and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to estimate prevalence of smoking (cigarette, water pipe and pipe) in women aged 30-70 years in Semnan province in Iran. This epidemiologic cross-sectional study was conducted among 2104 women who were 30-70 years old in province of Semnan, Iran between October 2005 and February 2006. Multistage cluster sampling was performed and subjects were selected from rural and urban populations. Data were analyzed by Chi-square test and p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. The overall prevalence of smoking in women aged 30-70 was 2.0% (95% Confidence Interval: 1.4-2.6%). 2.5% of rural and 1.8% urban were smokers (P=0.270). Prevalence of smoking in under 40, 40-49, 50-59 and ≥ 60 years were 0.4, 2.4, 2.8 and 4.2, respectively (P= 0.001). 4.1% of illiterates,1.6% of primary,1.5% of intermediate,0.4% of high school were smokers (P=0.001). Prevalence of smoking in Semnan, Damghan, Garmsar and Shahrood were 1.3, 3.2, 0.7 and 2.4% (P=0.034), respectively. None of them were pipe smokers. 26.9% non-cigarette smokers were passive smokers. Overall, 28.9% of Semnan province adults, aged 30-70 years, were active smokers or passive cigarette smokers. The findings showed that prevalence of active or passive smoking in Semnan province in women adults aged 30-70 years is high. Given the strong positive relationship between smoking and various diseases, a comprehensive community-based health educational and interventional program is essential for reducing smoking and its detrimental consequences among woman population in Semnan province. Given the essential information about the harmful effects of passive and active smoking to woman with old ages and low educational levels, particularly who living in Daemghan, would be a valuable way for reducing destructive consequences of smoking.