Smoking Intensity and its Relation to General Health of the Students of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran

BACKGROUND Considering the need for a better understanding of smoking among the student population and its impact on their mental health and their success, this study was conducted in Kerman Medical Sciences University. METHODS This cross-sectional study on 772 students, chosen by random sampling, was conducted in 2007. Subjects were assessed with 28-question questionnaires that included demographic questions, questions about smoking, fagerstrom nicotine dependence test, and a general health questionnaire (GHQ). FINDINGS The prevalence of smoking was 15. 8%. Records of failing in high school and conditional failures of a university semester in smokers were significantly higher than non-smokers. The average scores of the mental health questionnaires showed a significant difference between smokers and non-smokers (P < 0.001). Based on the results, 35.2% of smokers and 5.9% of non-smokers had mental illnesses. CONCLUSION Since cigarette dependence in teens and youth are significantly high and failures in education and mental health disorders are more common among them, it is necessary that the authorities pay more attention to the social skill training and timely diagnosis of mental disorders.