Prevalence and Associated Factors of Smoking among Malaysian University Students

Objective: The objectives were to determine the prevalence and associated factors for smoking amonguniversity students in Malaysia. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 199 students inthe period from December of academic year 2009 until April of academic year 2010 in Management and ScienceUniversity (MSU), Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. The questionnaire was distributed randomly to all faculties ofMSU by choosing one of every 3 lecture rooms, as well as the library and cafeterias of the campus randomly bychoosing one from every 3 tables. Questions concerned socio-demographic variables, knowledge, attitudes andpractice toward smoking. Participant’s consent was obtained and ethical approval was provided by the ethicscommittee of the University. Data entry and analysis were performed using descriptive statistics, chi square test,Student t- test and logistic multiple regression with the SPSS version 13.0, statistical significance being concludedat p<0.05.
Results: About one third of students were smokers (29%). The most important reason of smoking wasstress (20%) followed by ‘influenced by friends’ (16 %). Prevalence of smoking was significantly higher amongmale and those in advanced semesters (p= >0.001, p=0.047). Smokers had low level of knowledge (p<0.05), hadwrong beliefs on smoking (p<0.05), and negative attitude toward tobacco control policies compared to nonsmokers (p<0.05). On multiple logistic regression, significant predictors of smoking in the model were gender(p=0.025), age (p=0.037), semester of study (p= 0.025) and attitude toward smoking (p<0.001).
Conclusion: Thisstudy found that 29% of university students were smokers. Males and students in advanced semesters weremore likely to smoke. The results provide baseline data to develop an anti-smoking program to limit smokingin the university by implementing policies against smoking.