Tabaquismo escolar en el medio rural de Castilla-León. Actitudes de la población escolar

Abstract

Tobacco smoking is the most important health problem among school-age children and educational programs aiming at prevention must be taken up by all members of the school community (parents, teachers and students) as well as by health providers. We designed an anti-smoking campaign lasting three years directed towards sixth, seventh and eight-grade elementary school students and secondary school pupils attending classes in the area of Vitigudino (Salamanca). We report the results of student attitude surveys done at the beginning of the program. Sixty-eight percent of boys and 50.7% of girls have smoked at some time. The average age of first contact with tobacco was 12.1 +/- 2.4 years, with boys starting to smoke at a significantly younger age (p < 0.001) than girls. At present, 13.7% of school children smoke. The main reasons given for starting to smoke were that friends smoked (56.9%) and curiosity (55.4%). Tobacco smoking in the family was mentioned by only 29.5% of the students surveyed. Knowledge of medical problems related to smoking was limited. Intention to smoke upon leaving school was reported by 9%, while 46.7% did not know if they would smoke. The fact that only 44.1% of school children believe they will not smoke upon leaving school highlights the need to provide support information that will help students abstain. Programs aimed at school children have been shown to help reduce tobacco smoking in this population. An adolescent who learns to avoid tobacco is unlikely to be a smoker in adulthood.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)