Prevalencia de tabaquismo y factores de riesgo cardiovascular en el casco urbano de una localidad rural de la Provincia de Buenos Aires

objetive: to determine the prevalence of the tobacco smoking habit in the general population and in individuals with high cardiovascular risk. methods: a population-based cross-sectional survey took place in a random sample of the inhabitants aged 15 years and more at san andres de giles, buenos aires, argentina. people who had smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their life and still smoked were defined as current smokers, while people that had smoked at least 100 cigarettes but had quit smoking were considered former smokers. we evaluated: 1-education level, 2-access to housing, 3-self perception of income, 4-regular physical activity, 5-alcohol consumption, 6-hypertension, 7-diabetes, 8-obesity, 9-dyslipidemia, 10-metabolic syndrome (ncepatpiii criteria), 11-history of myocardial infarction, angina and stroke. results: the sample included 1091 women (40.8 ± 0.5 years) and 500 males (40.4 ± 0.8 years). the prevalence of current smokers was 32.8 in men (ci 95% 28.7-36.9) and 25.4 in women (ci95% 22.9-28.0). in the age group that included people between the ages 15 to 24 years, 41.8% of men and 31.5% of women were current smokers. 56.0% of the current smokers had thought about quitting and 29.0% were willing to fix a date within the next 30 days. there were no significant differences according to education level (p=0.699). alcohol consumption (p<0.001) and lack of regular physical activity (p=0.003) were associated with a high prevalence of current smokers. 24.5% participants were hypertensives, 15.4% diabetics, 25.0% obeses and 22.9% dyslipidaemics; 20.9% had metabolic syndrome and 27.1% of those with cardiovascular disease, were current smokers. conclusion: there were strong relationships between smoking, alcohol consumption and lack of physical activity. a high proportion of subjects with high cardiovascular risk were current smokers.