European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PREVALENCE, BEST ENVIRONMENT FOR SMOKING AND OTHER CORRELATES OF SMOKING HABITS IN YENAGOA LOCAL COUNCIL AREA OF BAYELSA STATE

*Owonaro A. Peter, Eniojukan F. Joshua and Owonaro A. E Daughter

ABSTRACT

The prevalence of smoking among the young ones is still on the increase. About 400 000 deaths per year are associated to smoking. The trend of death due to smoking will decline with decreases on the prevalence of smoking. This study was poised at evaluating the prevalence of smoking, smoking environment, permitted age of smoking and other correlating factors. About 1,182 respondents agreed to participate after they were made to understand the full details of the study. The sample size was calculated using the formula for evaluating the sample size population. The questionnaire captured demographic data, prevalence/ smoking environment, permitted age of smoking and other correlating factors. 77.2% of respondents were male; married and mostly within the age of 18- 30 years. Annual income was 501,000-1, 000000. 73.7% were Christians and majority were I jaw people. Prevalence of smoking was 8.2% between 16-25 years. Most of the smokers were still smoking. Smokers 53.2% of respondents lived in the same house with relatives that were non- smokers; 42.7% smoked inside the house and 53.7% smoked outside closed room. Permitted Age for Buying and Smoking Cigarette was reported to be 18-20 years. 9.2% of respondents reported that smokers were aware that smokers are liable to die young. 56.7% of respondents that were smokers reported that, they strongly disagreed with banning smoking in public place while non- smokers strongly agreed on banning smoking in public places. 83.8% of smokers bought cigarette with their money and 92.6% reported that it was affordable. 35.9% of respondents reported that they spent 20-200 naira daily on smoking; 49.4% spent 1000-5000 naira monthly on smoking. Regarding the cost 47.1% reported that it was moderate. The need to enforce antismoking campaign is necessary to curtail the high prevalence of smoking in Yenagoa council area, the capital of Bayelsa State.

Keywords: Cigarette Smoking, Prevalence, Setting, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.