Effect of Smoking on Serum Lipid Profile among University’s Students in Dhamar City, Yemen

A cross sectional study was performed to evaluate the changes on serum lipid profile and associated risk factors in apparently healthy smoker and non-smoker students at the University of AlHikma Dhamar city, Yemen during the period between November 2021 to March, 2022. Two hundred five students were randomly selected, 104 students were smokers and 101 nonsmokers. Sociodemographic data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and laboratory analysis for lipid profile were assessed using standard techniques. The results revealed that smokers had significantly (P<0.05) higher levels of TC (164.93 mg/dl), TG (149.63 mg/dl), LDL (71.60 mg/dl) and VLDL (29.58 mg/dl) and lower level of HDL (64.70 mg/dl) compared to the non-smokers group. Duration and numbers of cigarette smoked were positively correlated with lipid profile values of participants (r=.300; P=.000 and r= .317; P.=000) and (r=.210; P=.003 and r=.213; P=.002) for TG and VLDL respectively; while none with other values. Significant association was observed between weight (r=.235; P=.001 and r=.145; P=.000); heartbeat (r=.205; P=.003 and r=.256; P=.000); diastolic (r=.151; P=.030) and BMI (r=.155; P=.027) indices and lipid profile (TG and VLDL); (TC and LDL); (HDL and TC) of the participants respectively; whereas, none with height and systolic indices. In conclusion, smoking is clearly associated with increase serum lipid and lipoprotein values with exception HDL which significantly decreased in smoker compared to non-smokers students. This association is dependent on number of sociodemographic and anthropometric factors. Adopting anti-smoking programs among University`s students to prevent the harmful effects of smoking are urgently required.