Effect of Cigarette Smoking on Haematological Parameters Among Male in Derna, Libya

Abstract

Smoking remains a major global health concern with well-documented systemic effects, including haematological alterations. However, regional studies are limited, especially within Libyan populations. This study aimed to investigate the impact of smoking on haematological indices among Libyan men in Derna. A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted involving adult male participants from Derna. Haematological parameters including red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC), haemoglobin concentration (Hb), haematocrit (Hct), platelet count, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) were measured and statistically analysed. The 108 participants, 42 (38.9%) were smokers and 66 (61.1%) were non-smokers. The mean haemoglobin level was significantly higher in smokers (14.19 ± 0.93 g/dL) compared to non-smokers (13.66 ± 1.18 g/dL) with a p-value of 0.015, indicating a statistically significant difference. Other parameters such as RBC, WBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC, and PLT showed no significant differences between the two groups. Age and BMI were also found to be contributing factors in the variation of haematological values among smokers. Smoking is associated with measurable alterations in haematological parameters among Libyan men in Derna, with age and BMI playing additional roles. These findings highlight the importance of integrating haematological monitoring in smoking-related health assessments and reinforce the need for targeted public health interventions in this population.