Smoking and Associated Factors Among the Population Aged 40-64 in Shahroud, Iran

Background: Smoking is known as a major risk factor for different types of cancer, as well as cardiovasculardisease. Its prevalence is increasing in developing countries. The aims of this study were to determine theprevalence of smoking and its associated factors among the population aged 40-64 years in the city of Shahroudwhich is a representative urban population in Iran. Materials and
Methods: A cross-sectional population-basedstudy with stratified random cluster sampling was conducted in 2009 as the first phase of Shahroud Eye CohortStudy. Of 6,311 people, 5,190 participated (82.2%). Information about smoking habit was obtained by face-tofaceinterview.
Results: The overall prevalence of current tobacco smoking was 11.3% (95%CI: 10.5-12.3). It wassignificantly higher among males than females (25.7% and 0.71%, P<0.001). The prevalence of current cigarettesmoking was 10.8% and 1.75% were past smokers. The smoking rate of water-pipe was 0.67%. Unemployedpeople smoked more than employed (OR=2.66, 95%CI: 1.38-5.14).
Conclusions: The prevalence of smoking islow in Shahroud compared with other parts of Iran and other countries. Age, sex, job and marital status wereassociated with smoking. The low smoking rate among women may be attributed to cultural and social reasons.