Predictors of smoking in a cross section of novice mine workers.
OBJECTIVE
To determine demographic predictors of smoking status amongst novice mine workers.


METHODS
Prospective mine workers undergoing fitness examination at the Medical Bureau for Occupational Diseases.


METHODS
Cross sectional study.


METHODS
Current smoking status.


RESULTS
Smoking status is significantly linked to age, race group, nationality and previous employment status. Education is also a predictor of smoking status, but the association is weak. Smoking prevalence in subgroups of novice mine workers varies from less than 10% to nearly 75%.


CONCLUSIONS
Assumptions of very high smoking rates amongst all mine workers are too simplistic. Smoking cannot be regarded globally as a major confounder of occupational exposure and occupational lung disease for all groups of mine workers.
Kleinschmidt
I
I
Epidemiology Research Unit, Johannesburg, South Africa. immok@css.pwv.gov.za
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001741:Black or African American; D044383:Black People; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000208:ethnology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008906:Mining; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology*; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People