Use of smokeless tobacco among groups of Pakistani medical students – a cross sectional study
2007

Smokeless Tobacco Use Among Pakistani Medical Students

Sample size: 1025 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Imam Sardar, Nawaz Haq, Sepah Yasir J, Pabaney Aqueel H, Ilyas Mahwish, Ghaffar Shehzad

Primary Institution: Aga Khan University Medical College

Hypothesis

What is the prevalence of smokeless tobacco use among Pakistani medical students?

Conclusion

The prevalence of smokeless tobacco use among medical students is concerning and requires targeted educational efforts.

Supporting Evidence

  • 21.5% of students had used tobacco in some form.
  • 6.4% were lifetime users of smokeless tobacco.
  • 1.3% were daily users of smokeless tobacco.
  • The most common form of smokeless tobacco was naswar.

Takeaway

Many medical students in Pakistan use smokeless tobacco, which is not good because they will be doctors who should help others quit smoking.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted among medical students from three colleges in Pakistan.

Potential Biases

Potential bias due to convenience sampling and self-reported data.

Limitations

The study used convenience sampling and may not represent all Pakistani medical students.

Participant Demographics

455 males and 570 females, mean age 21 years.

Statistical Information

P-Value

< 10-15

Confidence Interval

95% CI for odds ratios reported

Statistical Significance

p<0.05

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2458-7-231

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