Smoking prevalence among the adult population of Kosovo: Results of STEPS survey 2019

Authors

  • Sanije Hoxha-Gashi Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Prishtina, Kosovo. National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo.
  • Musli Gashi National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo. University Clinical Center of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo.
  • Naser Ramadani Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Prishtina, Kosovo. National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo.
  • Sefedin Muçaj Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina “Hasan Prishtina”, Prishtina, Kosovo. National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo.
  • Myvedete Tërshnjaku National Institute of Public Health of Kosovo, Prishtina, Kosovo.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56801/seejph.vi.376

Keywords:

Kosovo, smoking prevalence, STEPs survey.

Abstract

Aim: Tobacco use remains the leading preventable cause of death worldwide. The vast majority of these deaths occur in low – and middle-income countries, and the gap is expected to widen further in the coming decades. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of smoking among Kosovo adults by gender, age group and type of smoking.
Methods: A population-based survey was conducted among people aged 18-69 years from April 2018 to June 2019 using the WHO STEPs instrument. 2800 randomly selected households were approached using multistage cluster sampling, and 2695 agreed to participate in the survey (response rate 96.2%).
Results: According to the findings of our study, 25.7% of the population aged 18-69 years was a current smoker (men 35.3% vs. women 15.9%) and 90.1% of them smoked tobacco products on a daily basis (Men 91.5% current smokers on daily basis vs. Women 87.1% on daily basis). Smokers started smoking at an average age of 19.3 years. Women started smoking significantly later than men, at the age of 20.9 years, compared to 18.6 years for men, and the younger age group started smoking earlier. The average smoking duration is 19.3 years, with no gender differences (Men 19.5 years vs. Women 19.0 years average smoking duration). On average, 97.4% of daily smokers smoke manufactured cigarettes.
Conclusion: Smoking prevalence was high among Kosovo adults, especially men and the majority of them smoke on daily basis.

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Published

2023-04-09

How to Cite

Sanije Hoxha-Gashi, Musli Gashi, Naser Ramadani, Sefedin Muçaj, & Myvedete Tërshnjaku. (2023). Smoking prevalence among the adult population of Kosovo: Results of STEPS survey 2019. South Eastern European Journal of Public Health, 22–33. https://doi.org/10.56801/seejph.vi.376

Issue

Section

Original Research