The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of smoking and factors
associated with smoking and to determine the knowledge, attitudes, practices on antismoking
measures related to smoking among students and staff of Universiti Putra
Malaysia (UPM), Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
A cross-sectional study design was used. A multistage stratified proportionate to size
sampling technique was used to select the sample. The list of students and staff of
UPM served as sampling frame. The total population for this study was 28053.
Sample size was 2364 and was computed using EPI - INFO. Data was collected from
5th July to 27" August 2004 using a structured pre-tested questionnaire. The response
rate was 85%. Out of the 2008 respondents, 60% were female, 62.8% Malay and
67.2% were Muslims.
The overall prevalence of ever and current smokers amongst students and staff was
13.7% and 9.9%, respectively. The prevalence of ever and current smokers among
male was 30% and 21.8%; and for the female was 2.8% and 2%. The prevalence of
ever and current smokers among students was 12.1% and 8.9%; and staff was 26%
and 17.7%, respectively. The mean initiation age of smoking was 16.7 + SD 3.7
years and it was lowest among Malays (16.3 years) and diploma level students (15
years). Prevalence of current smokers was high among Indians (12.7%) and Malays
(1 1.6%) ethnic groups; and, Hindus (13%) and Muslim (1 1.9%) religious groups.
Technicians had the highest (31.8%) current smoking prevalence at the UPM. Just
for fim (54.2%) was the main reason for starting smoking and residence (45.1%) was
the favourite place for smoking. Amongst current smokers, 63.9% had low level of
addiction to nicotine. The prevalence of smoking was associated with age, economic
status, race, religious, family and peer groups smoking habits. Most students and
staff had good knowledge on the health risk of smoking. Never smokers had better
knowledge on hazards of smoking and more positive attitudes.
In conclusion, UPM smoking prevalence is low as compared to the national
prevalence. However, it still constitutes a problem among university students and
staff in UPM, in spite of their knowledge of its hazards, attitude and practices. There
is a need to implement an anti-smoking program for university students and staff