Smoking patterns in a community sample of Portuguese, adults, 1999-2000

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2004

Authors

Santos AC (Author) FMUP; Barros H (Author) FMUP

Journal

Title: Preventive Medicine

Vol. 38

Pages: 114-119

ISSN: 0091-7435

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 47 Citations

Scopus - 56 Citations

Scientific classification

FOS: Medical and Health sciences > Other medical sciences

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-DEH

DOI: 10.1016/j.ypmed.2003.09.040

Abstract (EN): Background. Southern European cultural specificities might influence the dynamic of the tobacco epidemic. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the distribution and determinants of smoking patterns in an urban Portuguese population. Methods. We evaluated 1,644 community dwellers (1,015 women, 629 men) using a structured questionnaire, comprising social, behavioral, and clinical information. Number of cigarettes smoked, age at smoking initiation, and quitting were self-reported. Proportions were age adjusted for the European population and the magnitude of associations computed using logistic regression. Results. Smoking was more common in younger, unemployed, normal weighted, and less physically active men. Female smoking prevalence was higher in younger, more educated, and overweighed. Compared to females, males had a higher prevalence of smoking (35.0%; 95% confidence intervals [CI] 31.3-38.8 vs. 17.6%; 95% CI 15.4-20.1; P < 0.001), a higher mean number of cigarettes smoked (21.2; 95% CI 12.4-15.0 vs. 14.1; 95% CI 19.6-22.6; P < 0.001), and a higher proportion began smoking before 18 years of age (60.1%; 95% CI 55.5-64.5 vs. 42.6%; 95% CI 36.9-48.5; P < 0.001). Conclusion. Among Portuguese, adults smoking remains more frequent in men but the prevalence is reaching a disturbing proportion in women, especially young and more educated. This smoking pattern places Portugal in stage 2 of smoking epidemic.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 6