Exploration of smoking patterns among mails of age 25-35 in Yerevan

Abstract

Study Objectives The presented study is the first attempt to analyse smoking patterns of males aged 25-35 in Yerevan, mainly focused on reasons for smoking, using qualitative research method. The result of the study can be useful in terms of their implication s for the development of health promotion/ smoking prevention programs. The primary research question was: What are the main reasons for smoking among males aged 25-35 in Yerevan?” Secondary research questions were also explored, including patterns of smoking initiation, experience with smoking cessation, knowledge about hazardous consequences of smoking and attitudes toward smoking in general. Methods Three qualitative research methods, including in-depth interviews with key informants, free listing and pile sorts were selected for data collection. Population study criteria were: current smoker, male aged 25-35 years, Yerevan resident, a person not familiar with the interviewer. The purposive sample of the study includes 28 smokers (ten key informants, twelve free listing informants and six pile sort respondents). Results Results of key informant interviews were presented in accordance with the most significant sub-domains of the “Reasons of Smoking” domain, identified by analysis of pile sort data. Domains related to the secondary research questions were also presented. As a result of free listing, 39 cognizant items related to personal reasons of smoking behaviour of the respondents were identified. The most frequently mentioned 16 reasons were used for pile sort data collection. The most significant sub-domains of Reasons of Smoking domain, identified by ANTHROPAC computer program analysis were: “already addicted”, “When there is not hing to do” and “Secondary reasons” sub-domain, including three smaller sub-domains (“Childishness”, “Environment” and “Pleasure”). Conclusion The most frequently mentioned cognizant items as well as two of three sub-domains (“Already addicted” and “When there is nothing to do”), identified by pile sort data analysis were related to pharmacological motives of smoking, which is consistent with the reviewed literature on nicotine dependence (2,3,4,5,6,19). The third sub-domain, called “Secondary reasons” consisted mainly of past reasons responsible for smoking initiation such as smoking environment, communication, stereotype, imitation and others, grouped to smaller sub-domains. However, the in-depth interviews show that smoking continued to have a social value for communication in a “new environment”(new job place or new acquaintances). Smoking environment, as it was revealed by the in-depth interviews has also the role of physical and psychological barriers for smoking cessation practices.