Prevalence of Cigarette Smoking and its Associated Factors among Parents at Misrak Bedawacho District, Southern Ethiopia

Background: Cigarette smoking poses a huge challenge worldwide. More specifically, parental smoking had an influence on smoking practice of the young generations. There is limited data on the smoking habits of parents in developing countries. The aim of the study was assessed of prevalence of cigarette smoking and associated factors among parents in Misrak Bedawacho district, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A community based Cross sectional study was conducted from March 15 to April 15, 2016. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select 640 study participants. Data was collected using a pretested structured interviewer administered questionnaire. It was entered in to Epi-data and analyzed using SPSS. In addition, of descriptive statistics for describing data and multivariate logistic regression analyses was used to identify associated factors. Results: Six hundred forty parents participated in the study yielding response rate of 100%. The current smoking prevalence was 23.6% (95% CI: 20.5, 27.3). Males were more likely to smoke compared to females (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI: 1.5, 5). Age group (20 - 39)(AOR = 19; 95% CI: 9.1, 39) and 15 - 19 (AOR = 3.7, 95% CI: 1.4, 10) were more likely to smoke compared to the age groups (40 – 59 years). Formerly married parents were more likely to smoke compared to currently married parents (AOR = 1.6, 95% CI: 1.2 - 2.8). Illiterate (AOR = 5; 95% CI: 1.5; 16.8) and high school complete (AOR = 3, 95% CI: 1.4, 10.4) were more likely to smoke compared to college and above category. Daily laborers were more likely to smoke compared to farmers (AOR = 3.8, 95% CI: 1.7, 9), Participants categorized as Poorest (AOR = 4.3, 95% CI: 1.43, 17.6) and poorer (AOR = 3.1, 95% CI: 1.13, 12.6) were more likely to smoke compared to richest category. Participants categorized as little knowledge category were more likely to smoke compared to highly knowledgeable (AOR = 5, 95% CI: 1.06 - 25). Khat chewer were more likely to smoke compared to those who were not khat not chewer (AOR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.2, 4). Those, who having smoking peer (AOR = 2, 95% CI: 1.2, 3.5) were more likely to smoke compared to those do not have smoking peers. Conclusion: This study found that a prevalence of current cigarette smoking among parents in the Misrak Bedawacho district is high. Furthermore, this study reveals that parental current cigarette smoking is strongly associated with illiteracy, low socioeconomic status, daily labour, having little knowledge, khat chewing practice and having peers smoking. Generally, these factors should be considered for further prevention of smoking practice. Therefore, concerned bodies should inform the health consequences of tobacco use.