Smoking Habits Among Physicians in Two Gulf Countries

Abstract

The smoking habit of physicians in United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kuwait were studied as first step towards surveying the habit among medical professionals. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Kuwait between January-June 1990. Out of the 300 physicians who were contacted 252 (84%) completed the questionnaires, 190 (75%) were males and 62 (25%) were females. Among male physicians, current smokers were 86 (45.3%), ex-smokers were 34 (17.9%) and non- smokers were 70 (36.8%), while among the female physicians 10 (16%) were smokers and 52 (84%) were non-smokers.

Also, a cross-sectional study was conducted between De cember 1991-November 1992 to identify the extent of smok ing among physicians in UAE. Of the 300 physicians, 275 (91.6%) responded, 214 (77.8%) were males and 61 (22.2%) were females. Among the males, current smokers were 94 (43.9%), ex-smokers were 32 (14.9%) and non-smokers were 88 (41.2%), while among the females 5 (8.2%) were smokers, 3 (4.9%) were ex-smokers and 53 (86.9%) were non-smokers. Most important factors responsible for non-smoking doctors for not taking up smoking were: 'Protection of health', 'Self- discipline' and 'To set a good example to others'. The majority of physicians in UAE (91.3%) and Kuwait (75.6%) strongly agreed that smoking is hazardous to health. The results revealed that less than 50% of physicians provide information to over 70% of smoking patients.

The majority of physicians and health professionals were aware of association between smoking and various diseases. The ill- effects of tobacco smoking particularly as a major cause in relation to lung cancer, chronic bronchitis, coronary artery diseases, pulmonary emphysema, laryngeal cancer were widely and correctly known by all categories of doctors in both Gulf countries, UAE and Kuwait. The options favoured by doctors for preventing smoking included a ban on tobacco advertising, specific health waming on cigarette packs and restriction ofsmoking in public places, particularly hospitals and primary health clinics.

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