Tobacco use by university students, Lebanon, 2001.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to determine the prevalence of smoking [cigarettes and/or narghile (i.e. water-pipe)] among university students and to examine multiple correlates.


METHODS
Cross-sectional.


METHODS
Beirut, Lebanon.


METHODS
A proportionate random sample of 1964 students from public and private universities in Beirut, Lebanon.


METHODS
Participants completed a self-administered anonymous questionnaire that included demographic and scholastic items and health behavioral aspects, including smoking, alcohol, physical activity, weight control measures and seat belt use.


RESULTS
The overall prevalence of smoking was 40% (21.1%, 7.6% and 11.3% of the students were smoking only narghile, only cigarettes and both cigarettes and narghile, respectively). Regression analyses showed that males, those of non-Lebanese origin, pursuing undergraduate degrees, performing risky weight control measures and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol had increased odds of smoking cigarettes. Also, age, high level of paternal education and field of study were significant predictors. Narghile smoking was significantly higher among males who drank excessive alcohol.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors advocate a collaborative effort to alleviate the consequences of smoking among university students.
Tamim
Hala
H
Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Faculty of Health Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. ht02@aub.edu.lb
Terro
Abdallah
A
Kassem
Hania
H
Ghazi
Adline
A
Khamis
Tarek Abou
TA
Hay
Maher M Abdul
MM
Musharrafieh
Umayya
U
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities