title: Current and never smokers: differentials in characteristics, knowledge and perceptions.
abstract: A cross-sectional interview survey of tobacco use was conducted in Alexandria, Egypt, comparing current smokers with never smokers. Among men, the risk of current tobacco use was significantly higher among married participants (OR = 1.74), especially those with low educational or occupational status. In contrast, although few women smoked, tobacco use was significantly higher among those holding a university degree (OR = 15.33). Never smokers were significantly more knowledgeable than current smokers about tobacco-related health hazards. Never smokers had significantly better perceptions of the danger of tobacco use, susceptibility to health-related hazards and the benefits of being tobacco-free. Multivariate analysis revealed that tobacco use is independently predicted by participants' sex, age and educational attainment as well as their perceptions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Youssef
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Abou-Khatwa
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Fouad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001294:Attitude to Health; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data