Abstract:
The purposes of this study are to identify smoking prevalence, pattern and factors related to that behavior among policemen residing in policemen housings in 3 areas, Nonthaburi province, Phayathai and Bangsue, Thailand. A cross-sectional survey was done by using self-administered questionnaires based on Precede part of Precede-Proceed Model during 2"d - 23"d February 2009. The participants were selected by systematic random sampling and calculated sample size for small population was 166. The prevalence of current smoking among 177 participants was 38.4%. Among the socio-demographic factors, it was found that the lower the educational level was, the higher the smoking prevalence was (OR = 2.13, 95%CI = 1.11 - 4.07). And it was also shown that daily drinkers tended to smoke more than never or occasional drinker. There had no been significant association in between knowledge, attitude and smoking status although their attitude needed to improve (79.7%) in spite of good knowledge (76.8%). Almost all participants saw tobacco related scene but this was not found to be related to smoking behavior. It was shown that antismoking message received from movie and cessation service could affect on smoking behavior. With reinforcing factors, both family members and close friends who smoked were significantly associated with smoking behavior. These factors were shown to be high risk factors. As a recommendation, more strict control on smoke free offices should be done and smoke free policemen housings policy should be implemented to reduce environmental tobacco smoke.
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