Attitude Towards Anti-smoking Measures and Its Associated Factors Among Adults in Sub-urban Area, in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia
https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.19.4.31
- Author:
San San Oo
1
;
Myat Moe Thwe Aung
1
;
Mohd Salami Ibrahim
2
;
Nyi Nyi Naing
1
;
Intan Suhana Munira Mat Azmi
1
;
Aniza Abd Aziz
1
;
San Thitsa Aung
3
Author Information
1. Community Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Medical Campus, Jln Sultan Mahmud, 20400, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
2. Medical Education Department Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZA), Medical Campus, Jln Sultan Mahmud, 20400, Kuala Terengganu, Malaysia
3. Paediatrics Department, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, UCSI University, Springhill Campus, Persiaran Springhill, 71010, Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Smoking, Tobacco, Second-hand smoke, Legislation, No smoking zones
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences
2023;19(No.4):207-213
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: General population across different countries have shown an overall support for anti-smoking measures that vary significantly by certain population parameters. However, characteristics of the public attitude in a
community who has been exposed to prolonged awareness campaigns and smoke-free area legislation is unclear.
Consequently, we investigate residents who reside next to Batu Buruk beach in Kuala Terengganu city which has
been gazetted as a smoke-free area since 2017. Methods: The cross-sectional study involves self-administered validated questionnaires. Multiple linear regression with forward method was applied to identify significant factors associated with the attitude towards anti-smoking measures. Results: A total of 295 residents participated. Most of them
were Malays (96.6%), married (64.4%), attained up to the secondary school level (45.4%) and employed (59.7%).
The mean value of the total attitude scores was 181.86 (range: 70-200). Multivariate analyses revealed those having
higher monthly income had a higher total attitude scores (adjusted b: 6.91, 95% CI: 2.15, 11.66), while current daily
smokers had a lower total attitude scores towards anti-smoking measures than non-smokers (adjusted b: -23.30, 95%
CI: -29.55, -17.05). These findings highlight comparatively stronger and more consistent support for anti-smoking
measures that may vindicate high-stake investment and legislation against smoking. Conclusion: The novel evidence
may also better-inform the strategy to expand the initiatives further through profiling the target population with
heightened emphasis on the economic standing and prevalence of current daily smokers. Future research may adopt
experimental design to establish causality relationship between predictors and outcomes revealed in this community.
- Full text:11.2023my1582.pdf
