PERCEIVED EFFECT OF PHYSICAL EXERCISE ON SMOKING STATUS AMONG SAUDI POPULATION IN THE EASTERN PROVINCE OF KSA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Smoking is a well-known risk factor for heart and lung disease and one of the most common causes of lung cancer. Recently, more attention has been focused on interventions that can be utilized in smoking cessation programs including regular exercise. However, there is contradicting evidence regarding the effect of regular exercise on smoking habits and smoking cessation exist in the literature. Aim: The study aims to evaluate the populations perception of the effect of regular exercise on smoking habits and its aid in smoking cessation in the Eastern Province. Materials and Methods: This study was a quantitative cross-sectional analytical study for the Saudi population of the Eastern Province, KSA. Results: The total number of respondents participating in this study was 235. The majority of them were male, had regular physical exercise, with a Bachelors or Diploma educational level and aged 40 years or above. More than half of the participants were smokers and married.More than half of the sample reported that exercise decreases or strongly decreases smoking times and decreases or strongly decreases the desire to quit. Less than half of the participants perceived that exercise decreases the desire, enjoyment and symptoms. A statistically significant difference between educational level, smoking status and physical exercise of respondents and their perceived effect of physical exercise on smoking status was found. Also, there was a statistically significant difference between exercise duration, frequency per week and the perceived effect of physical exercise on smoking status.