[Tobacco smoking and mental health].
BACKGROUND
Smoking continues to be one of the most important health burdens worldwide.


OBJECTIVE
To describe smoking habits and associated risk factors in the population of Santiago, Chile.


METHODS
A cross sectional study of a representative sample of the population, from 16 to 64 years old, residents of Santiago, Chile (total population: 3,237,286). A structured interview that included questions about use of tobacco, the CIS-R interviews, used for common mental disorders, were applied.


RESULTS
From the sample of 4,693 households, 3,870 people were interviewed (52.2% women, 47.8% men) and 10% refused. Forty percent of the population currently smoked (52.5% men, 47.8% women). "Being a current smoker" was associated with being younger than 55, male sex, and having a common mental disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
Smoking is highly prevalent in Chile, as compared with developed countries and with some developing countries. Gender differences in use of tobacco have decreased. A higher risk of smoking for people with mental disorders is confirmed.
Rojas
Graciela
G
Departamento Psiquiatría y Salud Mental, Facultad de Medicina, Campus Norte, Universidad de Chile, Avenida La Paz 1003, Santiago, Chile.
Gaete
Jorge
J
González
Isabel
I
Ortega
Marcela
M
Figueroa
Alicia
A
Fritsch
Rosemarie
R
Araya
Ricardo
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*