[Prevalence of tobacco smoking among participants of the Cardiovascular Prophylactic Program].
BACKGROUND
Cigarette smoking contributes to nearly 40 percent of premature deaths all over the world. In Poland, approximately 10 million people are addicted to smoking. Smoking prevalence depends on the socioeconomic status. The frequency of smoking is higher among people with low levels of education.


METHODS
The study was conducted among the participants of Cardiovascular Prophylactic Program. Patients with diagnosed cardiovascular system disorders or/and diabetes were excluded from the Programme. Patient's Prophylactic Card with collected data concerning risk factors for cardiovascular diseases, blood pressure measurements, body mass and height, levels of glucose and total cholesterol, including HDL and LDL fractions, was the study instrument. In the statistical analysis, the Chi2 test was used. The relationship between variables was assessed at p < 0.05. The strength of the correlations was estimated with C-Pearson's coefficient.


RESULTS
202 people, aged 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55, including 83 males (41.1%) and 119 females (58.9%), were surveyed. The study revealed that 33.7% of our respondents (32.5% of females and 35% of males) smoked cigarettes. Cigarette smoking was more intensive among people with a low level of education and blue-collar workers (p < 0.05). Hypertension, diabetes and hypercholesterolemia were more common among smokers.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the conducted study confirm a strong need to promote educational programs in local comunities to increase public awareness of health effects of tobacco smoking, taking into account socioeconomic disparities in tobacco use.
Maniecka-Bryła
Irena
I
Uniwersytet Medyczny, Lódź, Zakład Epidemiologii i Biostatystyki.
Maciak
Aleksandra
A
Kowalska
Alina
A
Bryła
Marek
M
D000328:Adult; D016739:Behavior, Addictive / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors