KNOWLEDGE ON SMOKING BEHAVIOUR AMONG FELDA SETTLERS IN MALAYSIA

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: Smoking is a global problem and highly preventable. Having adequate and good understanding on the underlying related problem is a necessity for the implementation of any prevention programme.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the knowledge of the targeted community towards smoking.

Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted among 230 adults aged 18 years old and above (from a total of 457 adults) who were living in a Felda residence called Felda Raja Alias 1. This Felda is located in the district of Jempol, Negeri Sembilan. Respondents were selected using the systematic random sampling (k=2). A face-to-face interview was conducted using a pre-tested questionnaire with eligible respondents. The questionnaire consisted of 3 sections, the socio-demography background, smoking history and also knowledge related to smoking behaviour. The knowledge related to smoking was measured using a pre-tested 3-point likert scale questionnaire.

Result: Majority of the respondents were non-smoker (63.0%) with 43.5% of them had been smoking for more than 21 years duration, aged between 45 to 64 years old (46.5%), female (51.7%), received at least secondary education (57.8%), married (67.4%), had individual income of less than RM999 per month (71.7%) and had good knowledge related to smoking (62.6%). Role in the family was the only significant predictive factor, parents predicted to have better knowledge on smoking behaviour compared to other family members.

Conclusion: The findings suggest the importance of role played by parents in delivering and educating others on the negative impact of smoking on health. However, it would be very interesting to observe the effectiveness of parental intervention on smoke-free home program in future study.

Keywords: Knowledge, Smoking, FELDA residents, Malaysia