Association of heated tobacco product use and secondhand smoke exposure with suicidal ideation, suicide plans and suicide attempts among Korean adolescents: A 2019 national survey.

Soyoon Park,Kang-Sook Lee

doi:10.18332/tid/140824

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONThe consumption of heated tobacco products (HTPs) is increasing among adolescents worldwide. Although suicide and HTP use are linked, the association between suicide-related behavior, HTP use, and indirect smoking exposure are not yet properly studied. This study examined the association of HTP use and exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) with suicidal ideation, suicide plans, and suicide attempts among South Korean adolescents.METHODSData from 57303 respondents (95.3% response rate) were obtained from the 2019 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. Chi-squared tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association of HTP use and SHS exposure with suicidal ideation, suicide plans, and suicide attempts among adolescents. Multivariable logistic regression analyses included: Model 1, which was adjusted for demographic characteristics such as sex, school type, perceived school performance, economic status, and residence type; and Model 2, which was adjusted for demographics, depression, and drug use.RESULTSThe risk of suicidal ideation was 1.37 (95% CI: 1.10–1.70) and 1.44 (95% CI: 1.18–1.75) times higher among HTP users who were exposed to SHS at home and at public places, respectively, compared to non-users. The risk of suicide attempts was 1.88 (95% CI: 1.37–2.57), 1.45 (95% CI: 1.63–2.00), and 2.21 (95% CI: 1.63–3.00) times higher among HTP users exposed to SHS at home, school, and at public places, respectively.CONCLUSIONSHTP use, and SHS exposure are likely indicators of risk behaviors. Our findings suggest possible directions for initiating, implementing, and evaluating programs and services to monitor HTP use and SHS exposure among Korean adolescents.

Highlights

The consumption of heated tobacco products (HTPs) is increasing among adolescents worldwide
This study aimed to examine the association between HTP use and suicidal ideation, suicide plans, and suicide attempts among Korean adolescents
When HTP users were exposed to secondhand smoke (SHS) at home, the risks of suicidal ideation (AOR=1.37; 95% CI: 1.10–1.70, p

Summary

Introduction

The consumption of heated tobacco products (HTPs) is increasing among adolescents worldwide. Suicide and HTP use are linked, the association between suicide-related behavior, HTP use, and indirect smoking exposure are not yet properly studied. This study examined the association of HTP use and exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) with suicidal ideation, suicide plans, and suicide attempts among South Korean adolescents. Chi-squared tests and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association of HTP use and SHS exposure with suicidal ideation, suicide plans, and suicide attempts among adolescents. The suicide rate among Korean adolescents is twice the average rate reported in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development data, which makes it the highest among the 37 member countries. Korean adolescents (in 2019) faced suicide thoughts (13.1%), had suicide plans (4%), and suicide attempts (3%)[3]. 33.4% of people who think about suicide planned suicide, and 33.9% of those who think about suicide try to commit suicide[4]

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