Prevalence of Tobacco Smoking and Associated Risk Factors Among Public Sector Employees in Kuwait: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction There needs to be more evidence about the tobacco products utilized by individuals who smoke and the primary determinants contributing to the development of smoking behavior. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with using one or more tobacco products among employees from various ministries in Kuwait. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among employees in different ministries in Kuwait from December 27, 2018, to January 3, 2019. A questionnaire about smoking status and socio-demographic variables was used. Results There was a total of 1057 participants in this study. Of the participants, 26% (n=275) reported using at least one tobacco product. The proportion of smoking of at least one tobacco product was higher among men (n=243, 46.5%) than women (n=32, 6%). Among smokers, 1.5%, 5.9%, and 18.6% reportedly use only three, two, and one tobacco products, respectively. Of the study participants, 26% were smokers, 20.3% were exclusively cigarette smokers, and 21.8% reportedly started cigarette smoking at the age of 15 years or less. Male compared to female workers had higher odds of being smokers of at least one tobacco product (adjusted OR= 15.3, 95% CI= 10.0-23.4). Participants were significantly ( p = 0.009) more likely to use at least one tobacco product if their monthly income in Kuwaiti Dinars ranged from 501-1000 KD (adjusted OR= 1.9, 95% CI= 1.2-3.0) or 1501-2000 KD (adjusted OR= 2.3, 95% CI= 1.2-4.5) compared to those who had monthly income range 500 KD or less. Conclusion The male gender and high income of the participants were significant predictors of the use of at least one tobacco product. Anti-smoking campaigns, mass media interventions, and increasing tobacco product taxes may minimize this population's tobacco consumption.

Association of Cigarette Smoking History With Drug Abuse History and Arterial Carboxyhemoglobin in Trauma Activation Patients: A Retrospective Study

“…However, both cohort investigations demonstrated that 40% of female patients have a positive cigarette smoking history. An investigation of a non-trauma cohort has also shown that smoking is more common in males than in females [ 14 ]. The current study demonstrated that the positive cigarette smoking history proportion was greater with penetrating trauma than with blunt trauma.…”

Examining the influence of global smoking prevalence on stroke mortality: insights from 27 countries across income strata

“…This study revealed that 62% of the 27 countries had significant impact on SDR. Several studies have illustrated country-specific evidence to identify the relationship between the two variables considering different dependent conditions like smoking status, socioeconomic status, age, gender and student attitudes towards smoking [ 24 – 26 ]. Those studies have incorporated countries like Hawaii, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, the US, Russia, and Denmark as the selected population of the study and have found that smoking can be a heterogeneous risk factor for the incidence of stroke in two ways: first, by directly causing damage to both the vascular system and its function.…”

The association between nicotine stomatitis and waterpipe smoking

“…Smoking is widely prevalent in Kuwait, and shisha smoking is as popular as cigarette smoking 5 . Shisha is one of the most common modalities used to indulge in tobacco products, especially among females, in Kuwait 6 . Furthermore, a self-reported questionnaire study about smoking behavior and beliefs among a non-random sample of Kuwaitis found that 45% smoked only waterpipe 7 .…”