Effects of perceived smoking-cancer relationship and cardiovascular health attitudes on childrens' views of smoking.

Ilknur Bektas,Asli Akdeniz Kudubes,Sema Sal Altan,Murat Bektas,Dijle Ayar,Yasemin Selekoglu

doi:10.7314/apjcp.2015.16.7.2801

Ilknur Bektas, Asli Akdeniz Kudubes + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.7314/apjcp.2015.16.7.2801

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Abstract

This study was conducted with the aim of determining how students' perceived smoking-cancer relationship and cardiovascular health attitudes affect childrens' views of smoking. The sample of this descriptive-cross sectional study comprised 574 subjects between the ages of 11-15. The data were collected using the Children's Cardiovascular Health Promotion Attitude Scale and the Children's Decisional Balance Measure for Assessing and Predicting Smoking Status. Correlation and logistic regression were used for analysis. It was determined that a statistically significant relationship exists between the attitudes of children towards smoking and their ideas about the relationship of smoking with cancer, which is negative and low (r=-0.223). There was also a statistically significant relationship between their attitudes towards cardiovascular health and their attitudes towards smoking, again at a low level (r=0.257). It was determined that children with ideas about smoking and cancer were 9.4 times less likely to have positive/negative attitudes towards smoking, while positive attitudes towards cardiovascular health made negative attitudes towards smoking 3.9 times less likely. It was determined that the attitudes of students towards cardiovascular health and their perceptions of smoking and cancer reduced the positive perceptions towards smoking.

Highlights

According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics for 2014, one person dies from smoking and the diseases caused by smoking every six seconds
It was determined that a statistically significant relationship exists between the attitudes of children towards smoking and their ideas about the relationship of smoking with cancer, which is negative and low (r=-0.223)
This study determined that a statistically significant relationship exists between the attitudes of children towards smoking and their perception about the relationship between smoking-cancer, which is negative and low (r=-0.223) and between their attitudes towards cardiovascular health and their attitudes towards smoking, again at a lower level (r=0.257) (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

According to World Health Organization (WHO) statistics for 2014, one person dies from smoking and the diseases caused by smoking every six seconds Among these diseases, the two most important are cardiovascular diseases and cancer (WHO, Mortality and Global Health Estimates; 2014). Eight million people died of cancer in 2012, and again, unless certain measures are taken, it is estimated that the number of people who die of cancer will be approximately 14 million by 2022 The majority of these deaths occur in less developed or developing countries (GSROND, 2011; Mortality and Global Health Estimates; 2014). The leading cause of death in Turkey in 2014 was cardiovascular diseases with 39.8%, whereas cancer is rapidly approaching that percentage (Turkish Statistical Institute, 2014). Conclusions: It was determined that the attitudes of students towards cardiovascular health and their perceptions of smoking and cancer reduced the positive perceptions towards smoking

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