Intention to Quit Smoking among Intermediate and Secondary School Students in Saudi Arabia.

Al-Zalabani Abdulmohsen Hamdan,Abdallah Ayat Roushdy,Alqabshawi Reem Ibrahim

doi:10.7314/apjcp.2015.16.15.6741

Al-Zalabani Abdulmohsen Hamdan, Abdallah Ayat Roushdy + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.7314/apjcp.2015.16.15.6741

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Abstract

Smoking is one of the most preventable causes of disease and death, including cancer, and quitting at an early age can reduce smoking-related morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and to identify factors affecting the "intention to quit" among intermediate and secondary school current cigarette smoker students in Al Madinah city, Saudi Arabia. This study cohort included 307 current smoker students in a school-based survey. The intention to quit and its related determinants were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. More than half of the participants were ≥17 years, and of male gender (54.7%, 77.9% respectively). An intention to quit smoking was reported in 71.7% of participants, and was been significantly associated with: male gender (OR=3.25, 95% CI=1.65-6.41): age at 1st trial of smoking. 10-15 years (OR=2.11, 95% CI=1.03-4.32) along with age of ≥15 years (OR=3.10, 95% CI=1.20-7.88); days of smoking in the past 30 days (days<10 (OR=2.31, 95% CI=1.23-4.35) along with days ranging from 10-19 days (OR= 3.42, 95% CI=1.18-9.91); knowing that smoking is hazardous to health (OR=3.04, 95% CI=1.42-6.47); and finally, supporting smoking bans in public places (OR=1.89, 95% CI=1.11-3.25). A substantial number of participants were willing to quit smoking. Effective interventions focusing on providing information about the hazards of smoking and prohibiting smoking in public places could help initiate the intention to quit among youth smokers.

Highlights

It has been estimated that 150 million adolescents worldwide use tobacco
An intention to quit smoking was reported in 71.7% of participants, and was been significantly associated with: male gender (OR=3.25, 95% CI=1.65-6.41): age at 1st trial of smoking. 10-15 years (OR=2.11, 95% CI=1.03-4.32) along with age of ≥15 years (OR=3.10, 95% CI=1.207.88); days of smoking in the past 30 days (days
Effective interventions focusing on providing information about the hazards of smoking and prohibiting smoking in public places could help initiate the intention to quit among youth smokers

Summary

Introduction

It has been estimated that 150 million adolescents worldwide use tobacco. Nearly half of them are suspected to die prematurely of tobacco-related diseases later in life (WHO, 2014). Abdulmohsen Al-Zalabani et al to make an attempt to quit in the near future (Fagan et al, 2007; Leatherdale, 2008) Psychological factors such as readiness to change and self-efficacy influence smoking cessation in youth (Leatherdale, 2008). This study has been conducted to determine the prevalence and to identify factors affecting the “intention to quit” among intermediate and secondary school current cigarette smoker students in Al Madinah city, Saudi Arabia. Such information can contribute to improving tobacco cessation activities at individual and population levels (Stockings et al, 2012). A dichotomous variable was created so that those who responded “A” or “B” were considered to have an intention to quit smoking, while those who responded “C” or “D” were considered to have no intention to quit smoking

Materials and Methods

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Discussion