Smoking; Frequency and Associated Factors in Female Medical Students

Abstract

To observe the frequency of smoking in female medical students and to determine the associated factors. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire from female students at Rawal Institute of Health Sciences. Period: February 2015 to August 2015. Methods: Information about demographic characteristics, smoking status in family members, number of cigarettes smoked per day, influence for starting smoking and use of sheesha and hash was obtained. Results: A total of 100 female students were asked to fill the questionnaires. Response rate was 60%, out of which, 52.6 % (31/60) were smokers and 48.4% were non-smokers.6 out of 31 were hash smokers and 20 out of 60 were cigarette smokers, remaining were sheesha smokers. Majority of these females started smoking after 18 years of age, with greatest influence being life style and peer pressure. Our results show substantial trend of smoking in female medical students. Majority have smokers in their families but their families were not aware of their smoking habit. Even though almost everyone was aware of the associated risks, 24% never tried to quit. Most of the students spent Rs 1500 to 3000 per month on smoking. Article Citation: Hassan U, Haq MI, Qadeer AA, Rahim K, Naiyar I. Smoking; frequency and associated factors in female medical students. Professional Med J 2016;23(11):1382-1389.

Trend and Reasons of Women Towards the Choice for Place of Delivery: Evidence from Mics 2017-18 Punjab, Pakistan

“…In view of the risk factors involved in maternal mortality, an international effort has focused on increasing the share of births at the proper health facilities (institutional deliveries) or the births attended by skilled birth attendants 3 . About 50 per cent of births in Pakistan take place at home, mainly with the help of untrained birth attendants 4 . The major reason for the home deliveries in Pakistan is found to be the limited role of women in decision-making at the household level, as well as their lower educational status and smaller control over the resources 5 .…”