Prevalence and correlates of tobacco use among adolescents in the schools of Kalaiya, Nepal: a cross-sectional questionnaire based study

Abstract

BackgroundAdolescent students are vulnerable group for tobacco addiction. Tobacco use among school children is becoming a serious problem in developing countries. This study was carried out to estimate the prevalence of tobacco use and to determine associated factors among adolescent students of Kalaiya municipality.MethodsA cross sectional survey was carried out by self-administered questionnaire adapted from Global Youth Tobacco Survey to assess tobacco use among the representative sample of 1540 adolescent students selected by stratified random sampling from December 2014 to May 2015.ResultOverall prevalence of ‘ever users’ of tobacco products was 25.3 %. Prevalence among boys and girls was 31 and 14.4 % respectively. Mean age at initiation of using tobacco was 13.38 ± 1.62 years. The correlates of tobacco use were: sex, ethnicity, family members and friends using tobacco products, and students exposed at home and public place.ConclusionSchool based interventions and tobacco education are necessary to prevent initiation and cessation of tobacco use. Legislations related to tobacco control should be enforced to decrease availability, accessibility and affordability of tobacco products. Social norms of tobacco use among parents and others at home as well as at public place should be modified to curb the tobacco use among school students.

Prevalence of Tobacco Use and Its Associated Factors among School Going Adolescents in Birgunj Sub-Metropolitan, Nepal

“…Pannmasala and Gutkha of various brands which was higher than Kaliaya district of Nepal. 4 More than half tobacco users adolescences obtained tobacco from retail-markets and remaining got from their relatives and friends which was similar to the findings of a study in Dharan of Eastern Nepal. 8 The ever use of tobacco was higher among male students compared to female students which was comparable with the findings of other various studies.…”

“…Dharan (19.7%), Pokhara (47.1%), Kalaiya (25.3%) and (13.9%) among junior collegiate of western Nepal. 4,8,12,13 The prevalence of smoking among adolescencents was high in African countries i.e. Sierra Leone, Lesotho and Madagascar compared with the findings of this study.…”

“…Among all deaths occurred by tobacco, 70% deaths are occur in developing countries. 3,4 Most influencing factors of tobacco use among adolescences are the behavior, attitude, and imitation of parents and peer groups. 5 It is estimated that globally 100 million people died by tobacco used in 20 th century.…”

“…Smokeless form of tobacco includes Khaini/Surti, Gutkha, Zarda, snuff and as ingredients of Paan masala. 4 This study aims to examine the prevalence of tobacco use and factors associated among higher secondary school adolescences of Birgunj Sub-metropolitan, Parsa, Nepal.…”

Cigarette Smoking among Out-of-School Adolescents in Sokoto Metropolis, North-West Nigeria

“…With regard parental influences on adolescents' smoking habits, the finding in this study concurred with a study among in-school adolescents that revealed students whose family members were tobacco users had higher risk of tobacco use relative to those with no family members using tobacco [25][26][27][28]. It is apparent from this study that good knowledge alone may not result in positive smoking behavior.…”