The Relationship Between the Frequency of Smoking and Depression among Police Officers

BACKGROUND: The aim of this descriptive and cross-sectional study was to investigate the relationship between smoking status and depression of 492 police officers working at the Police Departments of Konya between 25th May 2006 and 15th June 2006. METHODS: A questionnaire was applied to determine the socio-demographic characteristics and smoking status. The depression level was evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: Of all 492 police participating this study, 467 (94.9%) were men, 25 (5.1%) women, mean age 37.39±6.50 (min=22, max=53), and 462 (93.9%) were married. Of the participants in this study, 41.9% (n=206) were current smokers, %34.3 (n=169) never smokers, %23.8 (n=117) were ex-smokers and the quit ratio was %36.2. The lowest age at starting smoking was 7, the highest age was 44 and the median value was 18. The median value of the duration of smoking (years) was 17. Social factors (environment, friend groups, etc.) were the first reason to start smoking (46.6%, n=96). According to the level of nicotine addiction determined using the Fagerstrom score, the median value was 3. While gender, age, marital status, education level, being in dept had no effects on smoking status (p>0.05), living place (p=0.022), having a private car (p=0.018) and affording to pay the credit cards in time (p<0.001) had effects on smoking status significantly. While gender, age, marital status, education level had no effects on depression status (p>0.05), the frequency of depression level was significantly higher among the police who were in dept, did not have their own home and could not afford to pay their credit card debts in time (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The high level of depression has shown that police officers are at risk psychologically. It will be considerably beneficial to provide psychological support and consulting services to the police officers. An effective and comprehensive tobacco control program is urgently required for them. [TAF Prev Med Bull. 2008; 7(1): 31-38]