Socio-economic determinants of smoking among Iraqi adults: Data from Non-Communicable Risk Factor STEPS survey 2015

AIM: Highlight the socio-economic determinants of smoking among Iraqi adults aged (18+) years. METHOD: The study is derived from Non-Communicable Diseases Risk Factors STEPS survey Iraq 2015. A cross-sectional survey conducted among households from 15 Iraqi governorates. Nainawa, Salahaddin and Al-Anbar were excluded for unstable conditions. Multi-stage cluster sampling technique used to include 4120 Iraqi adults. Interviews started from the first week of November for 20 days using Arabic and Kurdish translated versions of STEPS questionnaire, at last 4071 valid questionnaire forms were gathered. RESULTS: Among men, smoking rates decline with age, 18–39 years (OR: 1.74; 95%CI: 1.22–2.47) and 40–59 years (OR: 1.69; 95%CI: 1.18–2.44) compared to elderly. They also decline as education level increased, No schooling (OR: 2.74; 95%CI: 1.75–4.31), Less than primary school (OR: 2.46; 95%CI: 1.68–3.62), Primary school (OR: 2.15; 95%CI: 1.51–3.05) and Secondary school (OR: 1.99; 95%CI: 1.33–2.99). They were higher among non-governmental (OR: 1.58; 95%CI: 1.03–2.44) and self-employee (OR: 1.4; 95%CI: 1.06–1.84). The lowest smoking rates were found among women aged 18–39 years (OR: 0.34; 95%CI: 0.14–0.86). While the highest rates were found among self-employed women (OR: 5.3; 95%CI: 1.12–25.06). CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco smoking was higher among men aged less than 40 years, low educated as well as non-governmental and self-employed people. While it was higher among elderly and self-employed women.