Prevalence and predictors of smoking in Pakistan: results of the National Health Survey of Pakistan.
OBJECTIVE
We analysed data collected during a nationwide cross-sectional household survey to estimate the prevalence of and identify factors associated with smoking in Pakistan.


METHODS
Population-based, cross-sectional survey [National Health Survey of Pakistan (NHSP) 1990-1994].


METHODS
A population-based survey was carried out in Pakistan during 1990-1994. A nationally representative sample of 18,135 individuals aged 6 months and older was surveyed. We restricted this analysis to individuals aged 15 years or older (n=9442). The main outcome measure was self-reported smoking. Smokers were defined as individuals who reported current smoking and having smoked at least 100 cigarettes or 'beddies' during their lifetime.


RESULTS
Overall prevalence of smoking was 15.2% [95% confidence interval (CI), 14.5-15.9%]. It was 28.6% (27.3-29.9%) among men and 3.4% (2.9-3.9%) among women. The highest prevalence was reported in men aged 40-49 years (40.9%). The independent predictors of smoking identified in the multivariate logistic regression analysis included age, male gender, ethnicity and illiteracy.


CONCLUSIONS
One out of every two to three middle-aged men in Pakistan smoke cigarettes. Our findings suggest that ethnically sensitive smoking control programmes that include measures for improving literacy rates are needed in Pakistan.
Ahmad
Khabir
K
Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Department of Community Health Sciences, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Jafary
Fahim
F
Jehan
Imtiaz
I
Hatcher
Juanita
J
Khan
Abdul Qayum
AQ
Chaturvedi
Nish
N
Jafar
Tazeen H
TH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation