Diferencias de género en la evolución del tabaquismo adolescente en España (1986-2002)

Abstract

This work pursues two objectives: 1) to analyse time trends in tobacco consumption among Spanish schoolchildren aged 11, 13, 15 and 17 for the period 1986-2002; and 2) to study the evolution of gender differences regarding tobacco consumption in each of these age groups throughout this period. On the basis of a research with a sequential cross-sectional design, data were collected in four nation-wide studies (in 1986, 1990, 1994 and 2002), using representative samples of Spanish schoolchildren. The sub-samples used for this paper add up 14,570 subjects (51.2% girls and 48.8% boys). The analysis of temporal trends has been performed separately for each gender, within each age group. Among 11-year-olds, a growing homogeneity between genders concerning tobacco consumption has been proved, with a general trend to a decrease in the problem. Among 13-year-olds, time trends are very similar to 11-year-olds, except for the period 1994-2002, where there has been an increase in the prevalence of smoking among girls. As for the 15 and 17-year-olds, a growing differentiation between genders has been proved, with a marked rising tendency among girls in all aspects studied. Regarding boys of those ages, the situation is relatively stable since 1990. The spreading of this problem among girls will probably strengthen in the future the current trend toward an increase in tobacco consumption among Spanish adult women.