Prevalence and perception of cigarette smoking among out of school adolescents in Birnin Kebbi, North-western Nigeria

Abstract

Introductioncigarette smoking is on the increase among adolescents' especially in developing countries and is a leading cause of premature morbidity and mortality worldwide. Adolescents incorrectly perceive that cigarette smoking is less risky than other behaviors such as alcohol consumption and drug use. This study assessed the prevalence and perception of out of school adolescents on cigarette smoking in Birnin kebbi metropolis of Kebbi state.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional mixed methods study. For quantitative data, respondents were selected using two-staged sampling technique. Semi structured interviewer-administered questionnaire was used. Univariate and bivariate analysis was done as appropriate using Epi-info software. Focus Group Discussion guide was used for qualitative data collection. Narrative synthesis was used for qualitative data analysis.ResultsThe proportion of respondents who had ever smoked cigarettes was 32.2% while 20.8% currently smoke. Most of the respondents (84.1%) perceived that cigarette smoking was harmful and that passive smoking was dangerous to their health (70.8%). Smokers had a significantly lower risk perception about smoking compared to non-smokers (p < 0.005).ConclusionThe prevalence of cigarette smoking among out of school adolescents is high with smokers having lower risk perception compared to non-smokers. There is an urgent need to create awareness about the specific dangers associated with cigarette smoking, the transient nature of its perceived benefits and the fact that the risks associated with smoking are severe.

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Prevalence of Drug and Alcohol Use among Undergraduate Medical Students in a Nigerian Private University

“…The importance of the availability of legitimate information on prevalence of drug and alcohol use for global public health policy cannot be over-emphasized. The findings of this study show that the prevalence of drug use and alcohol consumption among the respondents A notable proportion of secondary school and university surveys in Nigeria have reported that drug and alcohol use is rampant among students, with many having their first exposure in family settings and at a tender age [1,5,6,8]. A study carried out in Ilorin, Nigeria showed that the most commonly used drugs among adolescents consists of alcohol and mild stimulants [1], and this agrees with earlier studies [10.11].…”

“…One of the primary causes for the increasing episodes of drug and alcohol use among young people in Nigeria and other developing countries is the social and economic hardship. Also, the general wellbeing and health of youths in resource-constrained countries has been negatively affected by globalization, thus raising drug and alcohol users or abusers [6][7][8].…”

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