Prevalence, patterns and contributing factors for tobacco usage amongst Saudi population – analysis from SHIS 2013

M.S. Ahmad, T. Alslamah, A. Abalkhail, R.A. Shaik, R.K. Ahmad, M. Yusuf, M. Khan, M.F. Alharbi, S.M. Alannaz, A. Ghimire

Community Medicine/Public Health, College of Medicine, Majmaah University, Al Majmaah, Saudi Arabia. m.shakil@mu.edu.sa

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• Epidemiology

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to determine the prevalence, patterns and contributing factors for tobacco usage amongst Saudi population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between April and June 2013, a cross-sectional study was organized among 10735 individuals aged 15 years or older. The survey consisted of face-face interview for collecting data on socio-demographics, tobacco usage, diet, physical activity and comorbidities. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression was applied to check for the association of prevalence (both smoked and smokeless) with socio-demographic factors. The strength of association was examined by approximating odds ratios (OR) with their 95% CI using SPSS software and p-value set at < 0.05.

RESULTS: A total of 10195 respondents aged from 15 to 101 were considered. Overall prevalence of current smoking was 12.8%. Daily smoking was reported by 12% of the population. Sex, age group, education, married and occupation were strong predictors of tobacco use in both univariate and multivariable model. From multivariable model, men were 14.54 times more likely to smoke tobacco (aOR 14.54, 95% CI 11.07-19.11) when compared with women. Respondents between 15 to 30 years, 31 to 45 years, were 3.36 times (aOR 3.36, 95% CI 2.29-4.93) and 3.51 times (aOR 3.51, 95% CI 2.47-4.98) more likely to smoke tobacco when compared to >60 years.

CONCLUSIONS: The results of present study indicate a significant, but differing purpose of sex, age group, education, marital status and work status on tobacco usage in the country.

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