Factors influencing smoking behaviours among male adolescents In Kuantan District

Authors

  • M.Y Rapeah Ministry of Health, Malaysia Pegawai Pergigian U44, Klinik Pergigian, Poliklinik Komuniti Beserah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur
  • Y. Munirah Ministry of Health, Malaysia Pegawai Pergigian U44, Klinik Pergigian, Poliklinik Komuniti Beserah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur
  • O. Latifah Ministry of Health, Malaysia Pegawai Pergigian U44, Klinik Pergigian, Poliklinik Komuniti Beserah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur
  • K. Faizah Ministry of Health, Malaysia Pegawai Pergigian U44, Klinik Pergigian, Poliklinik Komuniti Beserah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur
  • S. Norsimah Ministry of Health, Malaysia Pegawai Pergigian U44, Klinik Pergigian, Poliklinik Komuniti Beserah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur
  • M. Maryana Ministry of Health, Malaysia, Pegawai Pergigian U44, Klinik Pergigian, Poliklinik Komuniti Beserah, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur
  • R. Saub Department of Community Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University Malaya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22452/adum.vol15no2.4

Keywords:

smoking behaviour, cross-sectional study, adolescent

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and factors that influenced smoking behaviours among male adolescents in Kuantan, Pahang. A cross-sectional study was conducted among the form four male students in Kuantan District. Three hundred and twenty three students were randomly selected from eight secondary schools. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all the respondents. Almost half of the sample was smokers (45.8%) and half of them were Malays (53.1%). Students whose parents had lower level of occupation were more likely to smoke (58.8%). Among smokers, 34.5% of them smoked since primary school and a majority (91.7%) smoked 10 or less cigarettes per day. Half of them (53.4%) reported that they bought loose cigarettes and most of them used their school pocket money to purchase the cigarettes (81.7%). From the multivariate analysis, it was found that Non-Science Stream classes (OR=3.92, 95% CI= 2.10, 7.32), peers' smoking (OR=6.07, 95% CI= 2.32, 15.92), and attitude towards smoking (OR= 21.93, 95% CI= 9.71,49.51) were significantly associated with smoking habit. The prevalence of smoking among male adolescents was considerably high'in this population. It is recommended that antismoking activities in school be carried out regularly and should involve an active participation from the adolescents themselves since peers have great influence on smoking habits.

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Published

2008-12-31

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Articles