title: Smoking and associated factors among the population aged 40-64 in Shahroud, Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Smoking is known as a major risk factor for different types of cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease. Its prevalence is increasing in developing countries. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of smoking and its associated factors among the population aged 40-64 years in the city of Shahroud which is a representative urban population in Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional population-based study with stratified random cluster sampling was conducted in 2009 as the first phase of Shahroud Eye Cohort Study. Of 6,311 people, 5,190 participated (82.2%). Information about smoking habit was obtained by face-to- face interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of current tobacco smoking was 11.3% (95%CI: 10.5-12.3). It was significantly higher among males than females (25.7% and 0.71%, P<0.001). The prevalence of current cigarette smoking was 10.8% and 1.75% were past smokers. The smoking rate of water-pipe was 0.67%. Unemployed people smoked more than employed (OR=2.66, 95%CI: 1.38-5.14).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of smoking is low in Shahroud compared with other parts of Iran and other countries. Age, sex, job and marital status were associated with smoking. The low smoking rate among women may be attributed to cultural and social reasons.
authors.affiliation: Young Leaders' Program in Healthcare Administration, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
authors.forename: Mohammad Shoaib
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Hamrah
authors.forename: Md
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harun-Or-Rashid
authors.forename: Tomoya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hirosawa
authors.forename: Junichi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sakamoto
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hashemi
authors.forename: Mohammad Hassan
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Emamian
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shariati
authors.forename: Akbar
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fotouhi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044382:Population Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*