Cigarette smoking among Thai Buddhist monks, central and eastern Thailand

A cross-sectional study was conducted from June to December, 2003 among Thai Buddhist monks in 4 provinces of the central region (Nonthaburi, Pathum Thani, Saraburi and Chai Nat) and in 4 provinces of the eastern region (Chachoengsao, Rayong, Trat, and Sa Kaeo) of Thailand. Data were collected using face to face interviews, questionnaires, and physical examination reports (weight, height, heart rate, blood pressure, etc) as the research tools. This study focused on sociodemographics, history of illness, and smoking behavior. The proportion of the cigarette smoking was 47.6% of the total of 920 Buddhist monks. The age group 20-34 years, Maha Nikaya section and Public temple were the majority of the study subjects. Multivariate analysis revealed that only four factors were related to smoking consumption: dharma education, Naktharm To (grade 2) (OR=O.6, 95%CI: 0.4-0.9), Naktharm Aek (grade 3) or above (OR=0.4, 95%CI: 0.2-0.6); Lay education, secondary school (OR=0.7, 95%CI: 0.5-0.9), bachelor degree or above (OR=0.4, 95%CI: 0.2-0.8); systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg (OR=1.8, 95%CI: 1.1-2.8) and history of respiratory illness (OR=3.2, 95%CI: 1.5-6.9). As a result, dharma education and well educated persons were the crucial factors which led to success in decreasing cigarette smoking. Smoking cessation campaigns and education of the consequences of smoking are strongly recommended among risk groups.