The Prevalence, Pattern, and Factors Affecting Cigarette Smoking among Undergraduate Students in a Tertiary Institution in Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Cigarette smoking is a modern health hazard, and it is pre ventable. It starts in adolescence for 90% of adults with an average age of on set ranging between 13 - 15 years and is commoner among males. This study is aimed at the prevalence, pattern, and factors affecting Cigarette smoking among undergraduate students in a tertiary institution in Plateau State. Me thod: A cross-sectional descriptive study involving 290 undergraduate stu dents of the University of Jos was selected using the multistage sampling me thod. Results: The prevalence of cigarette use was 5.3%. Seven (70.0%) of students smoke daily, 6 (60.0%), smoke cigarettes before Lecture Hours, and 90.0% are unwilling to stop smoking. Smoking was done to experience the highness feeling, 8 (80.0%), peer smoking 8 (80.0%), to reduce stress and ten sion 5 (50.0%), and Smoking for Fun 7 (70.0%). Most students first smoked a cigarette when with friends 6 (60.0%). Factors significantly associated with the current use of cigarettes among the respondents were religion (χ 2 = 4.167, p = 0.041) Level/year of study (χ 2 = 32.266, p ≤ 0.001), and type of family (χ 2 = 6.271, p = 0.043). Conclusion: Most students smoke daily, smoke before lectures start, and are unwilling to stop smoking. Health-promotion program to help smoking cessation and prevent initiation of smoking is recommended.