Abstract
BackgroundThis study focused on the associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and adolescent smoking among secondary school students (13 to 17 years) in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Our objective was to evaluate the relationships between adolescent demographics, socioeconomic status and smoking status.MethodsThe survey data were based on baseline findings from a cross-sectional study (N = 422 adolescents). Chi-square test was used to assess the relationship between demographic characteristics, socioeconomic status (household monthly income and daily allowance) and adolescent smoking status. Exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) reading and the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC) were used to evaluate adolescent smoking status. A Multivariate Multinomial Logistic Regression (MMLR) was employed to test selected demographic and socioeconomic predictors of smoking status.ResultsOf the 422 adolescents (M age = 15.58, SD = 1.24), more than half of the participants initiated smoking between 13 to 17 years old (59.0%). A total of 308 (73.0%) were electronic cigarette users, with more than 50% comprising of single users. The mean CO reading was 2.14 ppm with 78.0% of adolescents scoring more than 0 on the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC). Males and participants aged 15 and 16 years were at increased risks of sole CC smoking. Meanwhile, males, those who are not hooked on smoking and with a non-smoker CO reading were at increased risks of sole EC smoking. Finally, Bumiputeras were at less risk of EC smoking.ConclusionsDemographic variables such as age, gender and ethnicity predicted smoking status predicted smoking risk, but not socioeconomic factors. The findings allow policy makers to target specific high-risk demographic groups when designing smoking cessation programs for adolescents.
Highlights
This study focused on the associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and adolescent smoking among secondary school students (13 to 17 years) in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
In order to intervene with adolescent smoking, there is a need to grasp the rapidly changing landscape of adolescent tobacco use, which is marked by recent decreases in combustible cigarette smoking and overall increases
Demographics, socioeconomic characteristics and smoking status Of the 422 adolescents (M age = 15.58, Standard Deviation (SD) = 1.24), 90.3% were males and 69.4% were from the upper form (Form 3 onwards/> 15 years old)
Summary
This study focused on the associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and adolescent smoking among secondary school students (13 to 17 years) in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Adolescence marks a critical growth period, with many lifetime health behaviors formed during this time. This is a crucial stage for the development of health behaviors such as smoking and the habits that develop during this stage of life are often carried over into adulthood [1,2,3]. Waterpipe tobacco such as shisha is becoming more prevalent [5, 7,8,9]. EC and Shisha use are perceived to be trendy, less harmful than cigarette smoking and is socially acceptable among peers [11, 12]. The popularity of EC and other new tobacco products have led to increasing numbers of dual and polytobacco users (more than two tobacco products used concurrently) [13]
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