FREQUENCY OF SMOKING AMONG MALES AND ITS IMPACT ON THE QUALITY OF LIFE

Objectives: To determine frequency of smoking among males aged 40 and above and to evaluate its impact on health related quality of life (HRQOL). Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a region of western Turkey between January, 1st and February, 30th 2009. A questionnaire concerning demographics, smoking and health related quality of life (HRQOL) was filled by the subjects. Chi Square (x2) test, Student’s t test, variance (ANOVA) and Spearman Correlation analyses were performed when the data were being evaluated. Results: The frequency of smoking was 47.1%. In those smoking, the scores received from the other fields of SF-36 scale except for the emotional field were significantly lower in those not smoking. As the severity of smoking increased, physical functioning, physical body pain, general health perception, and the vitality scores showed significant decrease (p 0.05, for each domain). Conclusion: Smoking has a negative impact on health related quality of life. Public health education highlighting ill effects of smoking and Tobacco use need to be initiated which can be an effective preventive strategy.