title: Clustering of chronic disease risk factors with tobacco smoking habits among adults in the work place in Sousse, Tunisia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of our study was to explore the major non-communicable risk factors (unhealthy diet, sedentarily, alcohol consumption) of smokers and nonsmokers in workplaces.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was derived from an initial assessment in workplaces which was part of a community-based intervention to prevent chronic disease risk factors conducted in 2009 in the region of Sousse, Tunisia. The surveyed subjects were employees in six factories spread across three delegations in the region. Overall, 1770 of 2250 employees participated in the assessment. In this study, the clustering of non-communicable diseases risk factors with smoking habits was made only for male employees including in this study 1099 among 2250. Data were collected at worksites by a questionnaire, via interview or self-report. The main items assessed socio-demographics characteristics, smoking status, eating habits, level of physical activity and alcohol use of the participants.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The percentage of male smokers was 54.0%(n=594). Their average age of daily smoking initiation was 19.22 (±4.24 years). The percentage of male smokers consuming 5 fruits and vegetables per day was significantly lower than nonsmokers (57.2% vs 63.5%, p=0.04). The proportion of male smokers consuming alcohol was about three times that of nonsmokers (16.5% vs 5.8%, p=0.001). The proportion of male employees who agree with anti-smoking laws in work places was higher for nonsmokers than for smokers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A strong association existed between smoking and risky lifestyles factors in the work place. Such findings are potentially useful in directing intervention efforts regarding smoking cessation in occupational settings.
authors: Department of Epidemiology, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors: Hmad
authors: H
authors: Sonia
authors: Department of Epidemiology, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors: Maatoug
authors: M
authors: Jihene
authors: Department of Epidemiology, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors: Harrabi
authors: H
authors: Imed
authors: Department of Epidemiology, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors: Ghammem
authors: G
authors: Rim
authors: Department of Epidemiology, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors: Belkacem
authors: B
authors: Mylene
authors: Group of Occupational Medicine, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors: Saadi
authors: S
authors: Mounir
authors: Group of Occupational Medicine, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors: Amimi
authors: A
authors: Souad
authors: Group of Occupational Medicine, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors: Knani
authors: K
authors: Khaoula
authors: University of Minnesota Medical School, USA.
authors: Al'Absi
authors: A
authors: Mustafa
authors: Department of Epidemiology & Community Health, University of Minnesota, USA.
authors: Lando
authors: L
authors: Harry
authors: Department of Occupational Medicine, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors: Mrizak
authors: M
authors: Najib
authors: Department of Epidemiology, University Hospital Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors: Ghannem
authors: G
authors: Hassen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology; D017132:Workplace
keywords: Tobacco use; adults; chronic diseases; risk factors; tobacco use; work places