Abstract
BackgroundSusceptibility to smoke has been recognized as a strong predictor of smoking experimentation and taking up regular smoking habit. The identification of smoking susceptible individuals and its determinants is important in the efforts to reduce future smoking prevalence. The aims of this study are to estimate prevalence of susceptibility to smoke among adolescents, and identify factors associated with it.MethodsCross sectional data was obtained from Global Youth Tobacco Survey conducted in three cities of Pakistan in year 2004. Study population consisted of students in grades, 8th, 9th, and 10th; aged 13 to 15 years. Secondary analysis using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to estimate the associations between smoking susceptibility and co-variates. Descriptive statistics were reported in proportions, and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval were used to report logistic regression analyses.ResultsApproximately 12% of nonsmoking students were found susceptible to smoking. Students, who were females (OR = 1.53, 95% CI [1.24-1.89]); whose parents (OR = 1.64, 95% CI [1.35-1.99]); or close friend smoked (OR = 2.77, 95% CI [2.27- 3.40]) were more susceptible to cigarette smoking. Students who had good knowledge about harmful effects of smoking (OR = 0.54, 95% CI [0.43-0.69]); and had access to anti-smoking media (OR = 0.73, 95% CI [0.59-0.89]) were less likely to be susceptible to smoking.ConclusionStudents who were females, had smoking parents, friends or exposure to newspaper/magazines cigarette marketing, were more susceptible to cigarette smoking among Pakistani adolescents. While knowledge of harmful effects of smoking and access to anti-smoking media served as protective factors against susceptibility to smoking.
Highlights
Susceptibility to smoke has been recognized as a strong predictor of smoking experimentation and taking up regular smoking habit
Univariate analysis indicates that nonsmoking students are more likely to be susceptible to smoking if they have: at least one parent who smokes (OR = 1.82; 95% CI [1.52-2.19]); closest friends who smoke (OR = 2.84, 95% CI [2.36, 3.42]), and exposure to newspaper/magazines cigarette marketing(OR = 1.29, 95% CI [1.07, 1.56])
Students who had access to anti-smoking media(OR = 0.82, 95% CI [0.68-0.99]), and knowledge of harmful effects of smoking(OR = 0.50, 95% CI [0.400.63]) were less likely to be susceptible to smoking
Summary
Susceptibility to smoke has been recognized as a strong predictor of smoking experimentation and taking up regular smoking habit. Susceptibility to smoke is defined as “lack of firm decision against smoking and usually starts in the preparation and/or initiation stages of smoking behavior”; and has been validated as an important predictor of cigarette experimentation [7] Adolescents who are susceptible to smoke have double the risk of taking up smoking as compared to non-susceptible individuals [8]. The current scenario calls for in depth understanding of the initial stages of smoking, as youth going through these stages of smoking behavior are at considerable risk of regular cigarette addiction in future. These individuals are in an age group which has great potential to be affected by the primary preventive measures of antitobacco programs and policies. The aim of this study is to estimate prevalence of susceptibility to smoke among Pakistani school children and identify factors associated with it
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