Correlates of Nicotine Dependence Among Current Cigarette Smokers in Nigeria

BACKGROUND:_ _The level of dependence on nicotine, the main addictive chemical in tobacco, is a substance-related disorder that can be utilized to characterize diverse populations of cigarette smokers and also to determine the effectiveness of individualized smoking cessation intervention programs. AIM: This study investigates the correlates of nicotine dependence among current established cigarette smokers in Nigeria. SETTINGS:_ _We conducted a cross-sectional survey among a cohort of current established cigarette smokers (100+ sticks in a lifetime and someday/everyday cigarette smokers) in Lagos, Nigeria. METHODS: The dependent measure was nicotine dependence (ND) using the Fagerstrom scale; independent measures were demographics, harm perception, binge alcohol drinking, and past-year internalizing and externalizing problems. Logistic regression models were used to investigate factors associated with severe nicotine dependence. RESULTS: The analytic sample was drawn from 487 adults. Within our sample, 69%, 27%, and 3.9% had low, moderate, and severe ND levels, respectively (_p-value_: 0.02); while among daily cigarette smokers, 48.1%, 44.3%, and 7.6% had low, moderate and severe ND levels, respectively (_p-value_: <0.001). In the regression analysis, older age (aOR:1.03; 95% CI:1.01,1.06) and being male (vs, female) (aOR:3.70; 95% CI:1.58,8.15), and reduced cigarette harm perceptions (aOR:2.85; 95% CI: 1.75,4.66) were associated with increased odds of moderate/severe ND. CONCLUSION: Older age, males, and those with reduced harm perceptions about cigarette use had increased odds of moderate/severe ND. Our preliminary findings provide baseline results characterizing use behaviors among relatively understudied current established cigarette smokers in Nigeria. CONTRIBUTIONS: All Authors were involved inConceptualization, Data Curation, Formal Analysis, Writing - Review and Editing and Project Administration.