[Risk factors in experimenting with and consumption of tobacco by 12-14 year-old school students. Attitudes to tobacco in pressure groups]

Factores asociados a la susceptibilidad al consumo de cigarrillo en escolares de 10 y 11 años en Cartagena, Colombia

Objetivo Determinar los factores asociados a la susceptibilidad al consumo de cigarrillo en escolares de 10 y 11 años  de sexto grado de la ciudad de Cartagena, Colombia.Método Se realizó un estudio analítico observacional transversal, con una muestra no probabilística por conveniencia de 289 escolares de 10 y 11 años de sexto grado de colegios públicos de Cartagena, Colombia. La información se recolectó a través de la ficha demográfica, el inventario de consumo de cigarrillo y actitudes frente al mismo de la Encuesta Mundial Sobre Tabaquismo en jóvenes (Emta_Joven), escala de susceptibilidad a la persuasión hacia el consumo, la escala Apgar familiar, Rosenberg para autoestima y la escala de Zung de ansiedad.Resultados participaron 289 estudiantes, media para la edad 10,9 (DE=0,25); 157 (54,3%) fueron mujeres y 132 (45,7%) fueron hombres. La frecuencia de experimentación con cigarrillo alguna vez en la vida fue 20 (6,9%) y la alta susceptibilidad al consumo de cigarrillo fue 61 (21,1%). Los factores que se asociaron a alta susceptibilidad a la persuasión para consumo de cigarrillo fueron: ser del sexo masculino (OR de 2,81;  IC95%: 1,56-5,08), disfunción familiar (OR: 2,29; IC95%: 1,23-4,24) y haber fumado alguna vez en la vida (OR: 3,41; IC95%: 1,34- 8,67).Conclusiones  la susceptibilidad al consumo de cigarrillo en estudiantes de sexto grado se asoció a ser del género masculino, la disfuncionalidad familiar y haber fumado alguna vez en la vida.

[Variability in smoking experimentation and risk factors in 4 secondary schools in Murcia (Spain)]

OBJECTIVE

To identify patterns of tobacco experimentation and consumption in 4 geographically close groups of students in the first year of secondary education, as well as attitudes and consumption in their social environments. To identify the factors associated with tobacco experimentation and consumption in each of the student groups.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, multicenter study was conducted in 4 secondary schools in the region of Murcia (Spain). The study population consisted of first graders in secondary education, recruited in January 2005. The study variables were collected using a modified version of the FRISC questionnaire.

RESULTS

The study population was composed of 377 students (190 boys) with a mean age of 12.6 years (standard deviation [SD] = 0.6). Between 15.3% and 42.1% of the students had smoked at some time. Between 2% and 6.9% smoked regularly. These differences were related to socioeconomic characteristics ("living with the mother", p = 0.049; "living with the father", p = 0.015) and consumption in the environment ("mother", p = 0.013; "friends", p < 0.001; "teachers", p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed an association between experimentation and receiving more than 6R per week pocket money, consumption among friends, experimenting with alcohol and not living in one of the towns studied.

CONCLUSIONS

Significant differences were found among the towns studied. Application of standard preventive programs may prove ineffective unless they are adapted to the characteristics of the specific school.