Epidemiology Of Tobacco Smoking Among Adults Population In North-East Nigeria

This study is to determine the epidemiology of tobacco smoking in the adults' population of north-eastern Nigeria. We carried out a cross-sectional survey from June 2007 to July 2007 among 1793 adults in Yola, north-east Nigeria. An adapted WHO recommended interviewer questionnaire was used to collect information from subjects. Out of 1793 respondents, 37.9% had smoked tobacco in their lifetime, 31.9% were current smoker while 6.0% were former smoker of tobacco. The current male and female smoking prevalence was 45.3% and 18.4% respectively. The mean age for starting tobacco smoking was 18.6 ± 5.1years and the mean cigarette consumption was 10 ± 2 sticks per day. Peer pressure was major reason for using tobacco accounting for 26.4 %. The male gender, age group 40-49, alcohol use, Margi, Hausa and Fulani ethnic tribes have significant association with tobacco smoking. The prevalence of tobacco smoking among adults population in north-eastern Nigeria was high.