Author/Authors :
Khodadost, Mahmoud Department of Epidemiology - School of Public Health - Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Maajani, Khadije Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics - School of Public Health - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Noroozi, Alireza Iranian National Center for Addiction Studies (INCAS) - Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Motevalian, Abbas Department of Epidemiology - School of Public Health - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Naserbakht, Morteza Mental Health Research Center - Psychosocial Health Research Institute - University of medical sciences, Tehran, Iran , Sarvi, Fatemeh Department of Epidemiology - School of Public Health - Larestan University of Medical Sciences, Larestan, Iran , Seddigh, Roohollah Research Center for Addiction and Risky Behaviors (ReCARB) - Psychosocial Health Research Institute (PHRI) - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Jamshidi, Leila Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Office (SAPTO) - Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME), Tehran, Iran , Yavari, Samira Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Office (SAPTO) - Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME), Tehran, Iran , Khoramdad, Malihe Department of Epidemiology - School of Public Health - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , Ghodusi, Ebrahim Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Office (SAPTO) - Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME), Tehran, Iran , Hajebi, Ahmad Research Center for Addiction and Risky Behaviors (ReCARB) - Psychosocial Health Research Institute (PHRI) - Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Abstract :
Background: Cigarette smoking is known as a gateway drug for illicit drug use in youth. The objective of this study is to assess the
prevalence of cigarette smoking in the college students in Iran.
Methods: We searched electronic databases including Scopus, Medline/PubMed, Google Scholar and Web of Science, and national
databases such as Magiran, Scientific Information Database, Iranmedex, Medlib, Irandoc, and IranPsych from 1946 to 21st July 2018
without any language restriction using a proper search strategy. We used a random effect model to calculate the pooled prevalence of
cigarette smoking in college students in Iran. Chi-square test and I2 index were used to evaluate the heterogeneity between the studies.
We used the meta-regression and subgroup analysis to assess the potential source of heterogeneity. Stata software, version 11
(StataCorp, TX) was used for all statistical analysis.
Results: We included 60 eligible articles in our study. The pooled prevalence of cigarette smoking at least once in the lifetime was
19% (95%CI: 17-22). The I2 index indicated considerable between-study heterogeneity (I2 =98%, p<0.001). The pooled prevalence of
cigarette smoking at least once in the lifetime in males and females was 28% (95% CI: 23-34) and 9% (95% CI: 6-13), respectively. In
multivariable meta-regression, a significant association was shown between the year of study (β=-13.1, p=0.011) and sampling method
(β=-12.8 p=0.017) and daily use in the last month.
Conclusions: Increasing prevalence of smoking among Iranian university students is an important health priority. Increasing
preventive and health education programs are recommended.
