Tobacco use associations with multi-dimensional adverse health outcomes among in-school adolescents in four Caribbean countries

Abstract

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to assess tobacco use associations with multi-dimensional adverse health outcomes among adolescents in four Caribbean countries. Cross-sectional national adolescent school survey data (N = 9,143, median age 15 years) from Suriname, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic in 2016–2017 were analysed. Results show that 13.5% of participants were current tobacco users. Tobacco consumption increased the odds of multi-dimensional adverse health outcomes, including six inadequate mental health indicators, nine health risk behaviours, and five social-environmental outcomes. Tobacco use prevention should address the multi-dimensional adverse health outcomes.