Prevalence of tobacco use in Eritrea: results from a noncommunicable disease risk factor survey.
The prevalence of noncommunicable diseases in Eritrea is increasing. Tobacco use is a recognized risk factor for most of these diseases, especially cardiovascular disease. No data have been published on tobacco use in Eritrea. The present study sought to establish the prevalence of tobacco smoking in Eritrea. The World Health Organization STEPwise approach was used for the survey, conducted in 2004 on a random national sample size of 2,460 subjects (response rate = 93.7%). The prevalence of tobacco smoking in the general population was 8.1%; the prevalence was 15% among men, compared with 0.6% among women. Prevalence rates were higher in those older than 45 years of age. The prevalence of tobacco smoking was higher among Muslims (11.4%) than Orthodox Christians (5.8%), and among alcohol drinkers (10.2%) than nondrinkers (6.6%). The majority of tobacco users (89.3%) used commercially available cigarettes. A study on knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding tobacco use is needed to determine the behavioral factors leading to tobacco smoking among the vulnerable groups.
Mufunda
Jacob
J
Orotta School of Medicine, Asmara, Eritrea. mufunda@yahoo.com
Debesay
Amanuel
A
Mosazghi
Asgedom
A
Nyarango
Peter
P
Usman
Abdulmumini
A
Mebrahtu
Goitom
G
Kosia
Andrew
A
Equbamichael
Mussie
M
Yohannes
Emanuel
E
Ghebrat
Yohannes
Y
Paulos
Estifanos
E
Rizzo
Sergio
S
Masjuan
Myra
M
Gebremichael
Andemariam
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019017:Eritrea / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior / Q000208:ethnology*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000208:ethnology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014944:World Health Organization