Estimating the prevalence and health risks awareness of smoking in nigeria:A meta-analysis approach

Abstract

Background:The increase use of tobacco products in Nigeria, and lack of common aggregated data on its associate diseases and deaths are parts of emerging public concerns.Objective:This paper estimated national and zonal prevalence of smoking and health risks awareness in Nigeria.Methods:Random effects meta-analysis was conducted on estimates from 19 studies selected across 13 states, within the six-geopolitical zones of Nigeria, to pool nation-wide estimates of the prevalence and health risk awareness of smoking.Results:The sample and aggregated mean ages are 14.7 and 22.4 years, respectively. The overall pooled prevalence of current smoking in Nigeria was 19.7% (95%CI: 14.0-25.5), with male and female at 18.9% (CI:13.3-24.4) and 6.8% (CI:4.1-9.6), respectively.Conclusion:The findings suggest a relatively high prevalence of smoking among the youths in Nigeria. The authors recommend smokers’ counseling services among the youth to reduce health hazards and secure youth contributions to sustainable economic development