Uzma Hassan, Mirza Inam-ul Haq, Asma Abdul Qadeer, Kashif Rahim, Iffat Naiya.
SMOKING; Frequency and associated factors in female medical students.
Professional Med J Jan ;23(11):1382-9.

To observe the frequency of smoking in female medical students and to determine the associated factors. Study Design: Cross-sectional survey. Setting: Data was collected through a self-administered questionnaire from female students at Rawal Institute of Health Sciences. Period: February 2015 to August 2015. Methods: Information about demographic characteristics, smoking status in family members, number of cigarettes smoked per day, influence for starting smoking and use of sheesha and hash was obtained. Results: A total of 100 female students were asked to fill the questionnaires. Response rate was 60%, out of which, 52.6 % (31/60) were smokers and 48.4% were non-smokers.6 out of 31 were hash smokers and 20 out of 60 were cigarette smokers, remaining were sheesha smokers. Majority of these females started smoking after 18 years of age, with greatest influence being life style and peer pressure. Our results show substantial trend of smoking in female medical students. Majority have smokers in their families but their families were not aware of their smoking habit. Even though almost everyone was aware of the associated risks, 24% never tried to quit. Most of the students spent Rs 1500 to 3000 per month on smoking.

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