Cigarette smoking among Ethiopian health professionals and students
Zein, Z.A.
New York State Journal of Medicine 87(8): 433-435
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-7628 PMID: 3477717 Document Number: 300514
The smoking habits of 418 medical and paramedical students and 260 health professionals in Northern Ethiopia were determined using questionnaires developed by the World Health Organization. The rate of smoking was 18.4% among students and 8.9% among health professionals, with a preponderance of male smokers in both groups. There were relatively more physicians and paramedical personnel who smoked than there were nurses who smoked. The rate of smoking among these health care workers is lower than that reported among Ethiopian students and teachers, and physicians and nurses in other African countries. However, the association between cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and the use of tranquilizers and Khat (Catha edulla Forsk) is alarming. The establishment of a national antismoking campaign is recommended to address the problems of drug abuse in general, and cigarette smoking in particular.