SMOKING PREVALENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND PATTERNS AT PALESTINE POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY
Date
2026-05-12
Authors
Rushdi Zagharne
Shahd Shawamreh
Nora Taqatqa
Zaid Abu Mazen
Bahaa Zagharne
Abrar Al-Atrash
Nadia Omar
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Deanship of Scientific Research - Al-Quds University
Abstract
Background: Tobacco use remains a leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality worldwide. Smoking in its various forms continues to be highly prevalent among university students, yet institution-specific evidence in the Palestinian context remains limited.
Objective: To determine the prevalence and patterns of tobacco use among students at Palestine Polytechnic University (PPU) and to examine associated sociodemographic, behavioral, and psychosocial factors.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students (N = 781) using a structured questionnaire adapted from the WHO Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize key variables. Chi-square tests assessed associations between categorical variables, and Pearson correlation analysis examined relationships between continuous variables. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify independent predictors of smoking. Statistical significance was set at p < .05.