Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Packed Cell Volume and Body Mass Index Among Students from the University of Human Development in Sulaimani Province, Kurdistan Region, Iraq

Packed cell volume (PCV) is the most accurate and most straightforward test in clinical hematology for detecting the presence of anemia and polycythemia. The test determines the count of red blood cells present in the bloodstream. Cigarette smoking is a prominent global cause of disease and death, which contains many harmful chemicals such as carbon monoxide, free radicals, and nicotine. The goal of this research is to compare the packed cell volume (hematocrit level) between smoker students and non-smoker students, both female and male, at the University of Human Development (UHD). The study involved 68 students, aged between 22 and 26 years. The participants were categorized into four groups: non-smoking males (MNS), smoking males (MS), non-smoking females (FNS), and smoking females (FS), with each group consisting of 17 students. Blood samples were collected via venipuncture, drawn into a capillary tube, centrifuged, and analyzed by using a hematocrit reader and also, measured body mass index and hemoglobin. The result of this study showed the PCV levels of (MNS=41.17), (MS=59.35), (FNS=37.23), (FS=54.11). Hematocrit levels of (MNS=84.23), (MS=120.7), (FNS=76.47), (FS=109). Hemoglobin level of (MNS=13.88), (MS=19.76), (FNS=12.52), (FS=17). And body mass index of (MNS=23.05), (MS=23.82), (FNS=23.12), (FS=25.17).

In conclusion, this study's findings reveal that cigarette smoking is correlated with elevated PCV levels in both female and male smokers. Additionally, male smokers showed a greater increase in hematocrit level compared to their male non-smokers. Similar to male smokers, female smokers also exhibited an increase in hematocrit levels compared to their female non-smokers. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) seen between male and female non-smokers compared with male and female smokers. Cigarette smoking has many effects on hemoglobin levels, which are elevated in both male and female smokers. However, cigarette smoking did not affect the body mass index in either males or females.