Effect of religious beliefs on the smoking behaviour of university students: quantitative findings from Malaysia

Elkalmi, Ramadan Mohamed Mahmod and Alkoudmani, Ramez M. and Elsayed, Tarek Mohamed Ali and Ahmad, Akram and Khan, Muhammad Umair (2015) Effect of religious beliefs on the smoking behaviour of university students: quantitative findings from Malaysia. Journal of Religion and Health, 55 (6). pp. 1-7. ISSN 0022-4197 E-ISSN 1573-6751

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Abstract

The Malaysian official Islamic authorities have issued a ‘‘fatwa’’ (Islamic ruling) regarding smoking practice which prohibits Muslims from smoking because of its potential harm to health. Since the prevalence of smoking among Malaysian students is high, this study was designed to explore the perceptions and opinions of Malaysian Muslim students towards smoking in International Islamic University of Malaysia. A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted among School of Science students in International Islamic University Malaysia. Convenience sampling approach was used to recruit 323 students based on sample size calculation. A content- and face-validated questionnaire was used to collect the data from the participants. Non-smokers highly supported the fatwa on smoking forbiddance than smokers (94 vs 64.3 %, p = 0.001). A significant proportion of non-smokers believed that Islam prohibits smoking because of its potential harm (94.9 vs 71.4 %, p = 0.001). Majority of smokers agreed that addiction is the main barrier towards smoking cessation (78.6 vs 61.5 %, p = 0.019). The results showed positive influences of Islamic beliefs on the non-smokers. Further studies are required to validate these findings by surveying other universities of Malaysia.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	6718/44952
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Smoking, Islam, Religion, Malaysia, Students
Subjects:	R Medicine > RS Pharmacy and materia medica
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Pharmacy > Department of Pharmacy Practice
Depositing User:	Dr. RAMADAN ELKALMI
Date Deposited:	07 Oct 2015 11:10
Last Modified:	13 Apr 2017 15:06
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/44952

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