The Relationship of Demographic Factors with Smoking Behavior in the Rural Population

OBJECTIVE: The study aims to determine the relationship between demographic factors and smoking behavior in rural residents on the outskirts of Banda Aceh, Indonesia. METHODOLOGY: This correlational research employed a cross -sectional design. The study population comprised people in one village on the outskirts of Banda Aceh City, totaling 1,108 people. The sample size was estimated, and a total sample of 220 individuals was selected using a nonprobability sampling technique. The study used a questionnaire to assess respondents' demographic data and smoking behavior. The relationship between age and cigarette smoking frequency was analyzed using one -way ANOVA. The relationship between smoking behavior and gender, education and employment status was analyzed using the chi -square test. RESULTS: The study findings show that the average respondents were 44 years old, with 66,3% female and 33,6% male respondents. There was a significant relationship between age (p=.008), gender (p=.000), and employment status (p=0.000) with smoking behaviour. The correlation between education level and smoking was insignificant (p=.32). CONCLUSION: Demographic factors are related to smoking behavior in rural communities, especially in the aspects of age, gender and employment status. Community nurses and other health professionals should address these demographic factors in their smoking prevention and cessation programs.