title: Smoking prevalence, knowledge and attitudes among medical students in Karachi, Pakistan.
abstract: A survey of smoking prevalence and attitudes was made among medical students randomly selected from classes at the Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan. Of 271 respondents, 14.4% were current smokers (22.0% male and 3.8% females) and 3.3% ex-smokers. A majority of students recognized the dangers associated with active as well as passive smoking although only 55% of current smokers planned to quit in the near future. Most smokers (96%) believed that they as well as other health professionals needed training on smoking cessation and 95% of all students believed that doctors should play a role model in smoking cessation by not smoking themselves. Specific training and counselling should be a part of the required curriculum at medical schools.
authors.affiliation: Section of Pulmonary Medicine, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Husain
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Laeeq
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Awais
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Hussain
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006306:Health Surveys; D006379:Helping Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology; D010819:Physician's Role / Q000523:psychology; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012944:Social Support; D013333:Student Health Services; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014504:Urban Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data