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Awareness and perception of harmful effects of smoking in Abia State, Nigeria
Ugochukwu U Onyeonoro1, Innocent I Chukwuonye2, Okechukwu O Madukwe3, Andrew U Ukegbu1, Moses O Akhimien4, Okechukwu S Ogah5
1 Department of Community Medicine, Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
2 Department of Medicine, Division of Renal Medicine, Federal Medical Center, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
3 Department of Public Health, Office of the Commissioner for Health, Ministry of Health, Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
4 Department of Community Medicine, Federal Medical Center; Department of Public Health, Office of the Commissioner for Health, Ministry of Health, Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria
5 Department of Public Health, Office of the Commissioner for Health, Ministry of Health, Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat, Umuahia, Abia State; Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
Okechukwu S Ogah
Ministry of Health, Nnamdi Azikiwe Secretariat, PMB 7215, Umuahia, Abia State
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0189-7969.148483
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Background: The goal of the health education is to influence their perception of tobacco use, thereby discouraging smokers and would be-smokers from smoking.
Objective: This study is aimed at ascertaining the level of awareness of the warning against smoking, perception of tobacco use and tobacco control measures among residents of Abia State, South-East Nigeria.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional, population-based survey of respondents (aged 18 years and above) were selected by multi-staged sampling technique. Responses were elicited from them using an interviewer-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics; awareness of warning against tobacco use, sources of information, perception of harmful effect of tobacco and tobacco control measures.
Results: About 88% of the respondents were aware of warning against tobacco use, the most common source of information was media adverts (50.7%). Awareness of warning against tobacco use was found to be associated with sociodemographic characteristics, history of smoking, exposure to smoke at home and public places, and perception of tobacco use.
Conclusion: The findings from this study present an opportunity for initiating more robust policies, programs and interventions for tobacco control in the state. |
