Factors Influencing Smoking Behaviour Changes during Ramadan Among Malay Male Students

Document Type: Research Paper

Authors

1 Community Health Department Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences Universiti Putra Malaysia

2 Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia

3 Medical Student, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Abstract

Introduction: Fasting during Ramadan provides an opportunistic setting for smoking cessation intervention. Smokers find it easy to cease smoking during Ramadan due to the religion, cultural and environmental influences. This study aims to determine the changes in smoking behaviour during Ramadan among Malay Muslim male students who were current smokers. Methods: This is cross sectional study using self-administered questionnaire to evaluate the socio demographic characteristics and two main relevant religious perceptions on smoking (i.e. ‘Is smoking ‘haram’ and ‘Does smoking invalidate your fasting’). Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) questionnaire was used to evaluate smoking behaviour before and during Ramadan. The total FTND scores and the percentages according to FTDN items, before Ramadan and during Ramadan were compared to determine good or poor smoking behaviour changes. Results: The overall FTND scores and the percentage according to its items were significantly reduced. There were significant association between smoking behaviour changes during Ramadan and household income, nicotine dependence and perception that smoking is ‘haram’. The percentage of good smoking behaviour changes was higher among those with higher income, high nicotine dependence and those who are not aware that smoking is ‘haram’.
Conclusion: There is a great potential in taking advantage of the Ramadan environment to encourage smoking cessation among Muslim smokers.

Keywords

References

  1. Khayat, M.H. Islamic Ruling on Smoking. The right path to health. Health Education through religion. World Health Organization. Regional Office for Eastern Mediterranean, Alexandria Egypt. 2000.
  2. Nazim G, Mohammed A, Aziz S. Influence of Islam on smoking among Muslim. 2006. BMJ 332:291-4
  3. Ahmad S, Goel K. Psycho-social behavior and health benefits of Islamic fasting during the month of Ramadan. 2012. Journal of Community Medicine & Health Education 2(9)
  4. Taket A, Koteccha M, Belling R. Evaluation of London-wide Ramadan campaign. 2003. South Bank University. London
  5. Qidwai W. Barriers to smoking cessation: Results of a survey among family practice patients. 2004. Middle East Journal of Family Medicine 5:5
  6. Lim HK , Sumarni MG, Kee CC, Lim KK, Chan YY, Teh HC, Ahmad FMY, et al. 2013. Epidemiology of smoking among Malaysian adult males: prevalence and associated factors. BMC Public Health 13:8
  7. Abu Bakar AM, Lokman HJ, Amal MN, Anselm ST, Chan WH, Noraziah A.R. et al. Religious belief in relation to smoking: a cross-sectional study among Muslim males in the month of Ramadan. 2002. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 2(2):32-3
  8. Muscat JE, Stellman SD, Caraballo RS, Richie JP. Time to first cigarette after waking predicts cotinine levels. 2009. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 18(12): 3415–3420.
  9. Yong HH, Hamann SL, Borland R, Fong GT, Omar M. Adult smokers’ perception of the the role of religion and religious leadership on smoking and association with quitting: A comparison between Thai Buddhists and Malaysia Muslim. 2009. Social Science and Medicine 69(7):1025-1031
  10. Fasoro AA, Rampal L, Sherina MS, Salmiah MS. Prevalence of smoking and its associated factors among university staff. 2013. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences 9:45-51
  11. Su TT, Nabilla AS. Factors associated with success or failure of quit smoking attempts: a clinical approach for lung cancer prevention. 2012. Asia Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention 13:175-179
  12. Wee LH, Shabab L, Bulgiba A, West R. Conflict about quitting predicts the decision to stop smoking gradually or abruptly: evidence from stop smoking clinic in Malaysia. 2011.  Journal of Smoking Cessation 6(1):37044
  13. Wee LH, Shabab L, Bulgiba A, West R. Stop smoking clinic in Malaysia. characteristics of attendee and predictors of success. 2011. Addictive Behaviour 36:400-403
  14. Sh Ezat WP, Selahuddeen AA, Aljunid SM, Zarihah Z. Pattern and predictors of smoking cessation among smokers attending smoking cessation clinics in Peninsular Malaysia.. 2008. Journal of Community Health 14(1):17-23
  15. Naing NN, Zulkifli A, Razlan M, Farique RAH, Ghazali H, Mohd Hilmi AB. Factors related to smoking habits of male adolescents. 2004.  Tobacco Induced Disease 2:3(133-140)
  16. Nguyen D. Market Research Report London Smoke-free Ramadan 2009 Campaign Evaluation. 2009. Tobacco Policy London Regional Public Health Group
Journal of Nutrition,Fasting and Health

Volume 3, Issue 3
Summer 2015
Pages 97-102

Files

History

  • Receive Date: 11 August 2015
  • Revise Date: 14 October 2015
  • Accept Date: 15 October 2015

Share

How to cite

Statistics