title: Smoking in Saudi Arabia and its relation to coronary artery disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The health hazards related to smoking are well known. Smoking is a recognized risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD). Despite rejection of smoking by the Saudi community, we are still seeing smokers in our population. This study is designed to determine the prevalence of smoking in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and to find out its relation to CAD. This study is part of the Coronary Artery Disease In Saudis (CADIS) study.
  
  
  METHODS
  This health survey was conducted by collecting data regarding smoking status among adult Saudis aged between 30 and 70 years of both sexes in KSA over a five year period from 1995 up to 2000. The study sample was of normal distribution and representative of all regions of KSA. The data were analyzed to provide the prevalence of smoking and its relation with CAD.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total number of subjects was 17,350, and current smokers were 2217; accordingly the overall prevalence of smoking among Saudis was 12.8%. Males (1555) were significantly smoking more than females (662) with a prevalence of 18.7% and 7.3%, respectively (P < 0.0001). Smoking is more prevalent among Saudis living in urban, northern, western, and eastern regions compared to other regions of KSA. Smokers are more likely to develop CAD compared to non-smokers (P < 0.0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smoking is a prevalent health problem among Saudis that requires intervention for eradication. We found clear association between cigarettes smoking and CAD particularly among males. Persistent education of the health hazards related to smoking is recommended particularly at early age in-order to prevent initiation of smoking.
authors: Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and King Khalid University Hospital, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Mansour M
authors: MM
authors: Al-Nozha
authors: Yaqoub Y
authors: YY
authors: Al-Mazrou
authors: Mohammed R
authors: MR
authors: Arafah
authors: Mohammed A
authors: MA
authors: Al-Maatouq
authors: Mohamed Z
authors: MZ
authors: Khalil
authors: Nazeer B
authors: NB
authors: Khan
authors: Akram
authors: A
authors: Al-Khadra
authors: Khalid
authors: K
authors: Al-Marzouki
authors: Saad S
authors: SS
authors: Al-Harthi
authors: Moheeb
authors: M
authors: Abdullah
authors: Maie S
authors: MS
authors: Al-Shahid
authors: Abdulellah
authors: A
authors: Al-Mobeireek
authors: Mohmmed S
authors: MS
authors: Nouh
keywords: Coronary artery disease; Prevalence; Saudi Arabia; Smoking
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