Prevalence of cigarette smoking and factors influencing cigarette smoking behavior among adult Myanmar migrant workers in Mahachai sub-district, Samut Sakhon province, Thailand

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was carried out in Mahachai Sub-district, Samut Sakhon Province, Thailand from the end of January to the end of February, 2009. Through the use of PRECEDE model, the main purposes of this study were to identify the prevalence of cigarette smoking and the factors influencing cigarette smoking behaviour among adult Myanmar migrant workers aged between 18 to 59 years old in the study site. The factors influencing on cigarette smoking behaviour were predisposing, enabling and reinforcing factors which referred to the fourth phase of the Precede Model. It is the model for health behaviours based on multi-assumptions before designing an appropriate intervention. This study was conducted with 347 samples by using a structured interview questionnaire to gather the data with ethical review COA no.008/2009 issued on 12 January 2009. For data analysis, Chi-square, Fisher’s Exact test and Mann-Whitney U test were used. The results showed that the overall prevalence of cigarettes smoking was 35.2% with 59.2% of male current smokers and 8% of female current smokers. Cigarette smoking prevalence was quite high in adult male. Almost 69.2% of smokers started smoking at age16-20 years old. Smoking behaviour was significant difference with gender (p<0.001) and ethnicity (p<0.05). Nearly half of the respondents (49%) had moderate knowledge about cigarette smoking and harmful health consequences. There was an association between cigarette smoking behaviour and attitude (p<0.05). In terms of reinforcing factors, there was a relationship between cigarette smoking behaviour and acquainted people of the respondents as well as with a designation of smoke-free workplace and living quarter. In accessibility of cigarettes among current smokers as enabling factor, monthly expenditure for cigarettes was association with smoking behaviour among current smokers (p<0.001). These results suggested that awareness-building should be implemented for Myanmar migrant workers to change their behaviour and to complete the linkage of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP). Information about Tobacco Control Laws should be provided to Myanmar migrant workers. The acquainted people, who highly influence on smoking of the respondents, should be informed about smoking hazard and their being the source of smoking. For environmental support intervention, smoke-free workplace and living quarter should be implemented.