Gender differences in the prevalence and determinants of tobacco use among school-aged adolescents (11-17 years) in Sudan and South Sudan.

Dominic Odwa Atari

doi:10.11604/pamj.2014.18.118.3202

Abstract

IntroductionTobacco use is one of the leading and preventable causes of global morbidities and premature mortalities. The study explores gender differences in the prevalence and determinants of tobacco use among school-aged adolescents (11-17years) in Sudan and South Sudan.MethodsThe study utilized the national Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data collected in 2005 for Sudan (4,277 unweighted; 131,631 weighted). Univariate and bivariate analyses were conducted to examine the associations between the dependent (tobacco use status) and independent variables. Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify the key factors which influence tobacco consumption among adolescents in the 2 Sudans for ever cigarette users, current cigarette users, and users of noncigarette tobacco products.ResultsThere were significant gender differences in the prevalence of ever cigarette users (21.8%; male=13.1%, female=6.5%, p<0.05) and current cigarette users (6.9%; male=4.9%, female = 1.3%, p<0.05) but not among users of noncigarette tobacco products (14.7%; male=6.8%, female=6.1%). Adolescent tobacco use was significantly associated with availability of monthly income or allowance, exposure to tobacco industry promotions, and tobacco-use behavior of familial relations. Knowledge about the harmful effects of secondhand smoke was related with decreased likelihood of tobacco use.ConclusionSchool programs that focus on health messages alone may not work for the adolescent population. Legislations that ban all types of tobacco advertisements, promotions, and sponsorships among adolescents are needed in the 2 countries.

Highlights

Tobacco use is one of the leading and preventable causes of global morbidities and premature mortalities
In the year 2000 alone, about one million deaths were attributed to cigarette smoking worldwide with most increase noted in low-andmedium income countries (LMICs) [6] where more than 80% of the global tobacco users reside [2,7]
With the exception of ElAmin et al [15], who explored the role of parents, friends, and teachers in adolescent cigarette smoking and tombak dipping in Sudan, there have been no recent studies in Sudan or South Sudan that explore the factors which influence tobacco use in the region

Summary

Introduction

Tobacco use is one of the leading and preventable causes of global morbidities and premature mortalities. The study explores gender differences in the prevalence and determinants of tobacco use among school-aged adolescents (11-17years) in Sudan and South Sudan. According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, Kenya has a current national smoking prevalence of about 8.2% (male=11.2%, female=5.2%) among school-aged adolescents (13-15 years). The 2001 Sudan national Global Youth Tobacco Surveys (GYTS) showed a prevalence of 17.1% (male=25.6%, female=6.1%) for ever cigarette users, 6.1% (male=10.8%, female=1.9%) for current cigarette users, and 13.5% (male=17.2%, female=10.4%) for users of noncigarette tobacco products [14]. This study aims at examining gender differences in the prevalence and determinants of tobacco use among school-aged adolescents using the 2005 national Sudan GYTS - the only current dataset available for the 2 countries

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