CUSTOMARY FASHION AND KNOWLEDGE TH REGARDING SMOKING IN STUDENTS OF 4th YEAR MBBS IN RAWALPINDI MEDICAL UNIVERSITY

Abstract

Objective: To study the prevalence of smoking and the knowledge among 4th year MBBS students regarding smoking. Method: A cross sectional descriptive study was carried out to determine the smoking prevalence and knowledge regarding smoking in students of 4th year MBBS of Rawalpindi Medical University during study period of 4 months. A total of 200 students were selected using consecutive sampling technique. Data was collected by a semi structured questionnaire. Questionnaire include demographic profile, current smoking status, reasons for initiating smoking, knowledge regarding sheesha and passive smoking, hazards of smoking and suggestions to decrease smoking. Results: Out of 200 respondents 138 were girls and 62 were boys.45% were between ages 19-21 years, 52.55% were 22-24 years and only 2.5% were above 25 years. 87.5% of all the respondents were non-smokers. The main reason of smoking were leisure activity, to release stress, socialize, to pass time. Regarding passive smoking, 94% students were well aware of the term passive smoking and 93% were of opinion that passive smoking is injurious to health. Majority of students (90.5%) were of the opinion that smoking causes respiratory problems, cardiovascular problems and cancers. 60.5% students considered sheesha smoking to be more dangerous as compared to cigarette smoking. Conclusion: The prevalence of smoking among 4th year medical students is low. Majority were aware about the hazards of smoking. Most of them had adequate knowledge about passive smoking and sheesha smoking and their injurious effects on health.