Table 4 The influence of patient's characteristics on tobacco use knowledge

Overall mean

4.23 ± 2.66 (Range 0 - 8)

Age

18-25 years

5.00 ± 2.40

26-33 years

3.00 ± 2.37

34-41 years

5.67 ± 2.29

0.079

42-49 years

5.43 ± 2.47

≥50 years

4.31 ± 2.63

Race

Malay

5.11 ± 2.38

Chinese

2.94 ± 2.49

0.016

Indian

4.50 ± 2.52

Others

3.50 ± 4.95

Occupation

Government

6.00 ± 1.63

Private

4.51 ± 2.49

0.289

Self-employed

4.03 ± 2.85

Others

5.42 ± 2.23

Living environment

An urban area

4.00 ± 2.93

A suburban area

4.91 ± 2.47

A small town

5.13 ± 2.06

0.299

A rural area

6.00

Marital status

Married

4.90 ± 2.66

Single

4.19 ± 2.30

0.355

Divorced

3.50 ± 3.33

Others

7.00

Health status perception

Very healthy

0

Healthy

2.92 ± 3.09

Average

5.08 ± 2.62

0.095

Unhealthy

4.57 ± 2.18

Very unhealthy

4.00

Daily life perception

Very stressful

4.25 ± 3.10

Somewhat stressful

4.97 ± 2.14

0.061

Not too stressful

3.89 ± 2.83

Not stressful at all

6.67 ± 1.75

Support the on-going government campaigns against tobacco use

Yes

4.63 ± 2.65

No

3.00 ± 1.00

0.574

Not sure

4.50 ± 2.59

Truthfulness of tobacco industry to Malaysian people with regards to the health consequences of tobacco

Yes

4.27 ± 2.78

No

5.42 ± 2.34

0.098

Not sure

3.96 ± 2.52

Age of first time cigarette use

≤13 years

3.85 ± 2.48

14-15 years

5.32 ± 2.26

16-17 years

3.55 ± 2.81

0.328

18-19 years

4.58 ± 2.61

≥20 years

4.73 ± 2.84

Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND)

High (7-10)

4.55 ± 2.50

Moderate (4-6)

4.10 ± 2.60

0.114

Minimal (<4)

5.65 ± 2.45

Previous quitting smoking attempt

Have ever tried quitting

4.18 ± 2.71

Have been abstinent for more than 6 months

7.50 ± 2.12

0.018

Have not tried quitting before

4.69 ± 2.45

Stage of change

Preparation

5.38 ± 2.12

0.004^b

Pre-contemplation or contemplation

3.73 ± 2.76