Smoking Prevalence and Its Related Factors Among Dormitory Students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background: Smoking causes premature and preventable death of millions of educated people. Objectives: Given the role model for medical students in the future of the country, the current study aimed at determining the smoking prevalence and its related factors among dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences in Tehran, Iran. Methods: The current cross sectional study was conducted with descriptive-analytical approach on 355 dormitory students selected by single-stage random cluster sampling method. Data were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire including demographic and background information and smoking features. Then, data were analyzed with SPSS version. 21, using descriptive statistics and Chi-square test. Results: The current study findings indicated that 23.8% (n = 81) of the subjects were current smokers; smoking had a significant relationship with gender variables, history of probation, close friends that smoked, and employment (P < 0.05). Conclusions: In comparison to other studies, the smoking prevalence was relatively high. Therefore, the necessity of proper education about the harms and health effects of smoking are felt more than ever.