Prevalence and determinants of smoking behavior among male school adolescents in Saudi Arabia

Objective Smoking and tobacco use is a growing public health problem, with often begins in adolescence. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of smoking behavior and the associated determinants among adolescents. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire with 453 male adolescent students in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia. Descriptive and binary logistic regression analyses were performed to aggregate the findings and examine associations. Results The prevalence of smoking was 24.3% among adolescents. The main predictors of smoking behavior were found to be age (OR = 1.6; 95% CI: 1.3-2.0; p < 0.001), studying in private schools (OR = 1.4; 95% CI: 1.2-1.5; p < 0.001), having friends who smoke (OR = 13.9; 95% CI: 6.6-29.9; p < 0.001), smoking parent (OR = 18.1; 95% CI: 8.8-37.1; p < 0.001), perceived poor health (OR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.9-3.9; p = 0.041) and perceived dissatisfaction with life (OR = 4.1; 95% CI: 1.33-13.3; p = 0.017). Smokers were more likely to believe that it is difficult to quit smoking (OR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.6-5.5; p < 0.001). The top reasons for smoking were having smoker friends (78.2%), family neglect (45.5%), having smoker parents (41.8%), family problems (37.3%), enjoyment, and having smoker relatives. Conclusion This study concluded that a considerable proportion of adolescents are smokers. Adolescents with a smoking habit report poorer health and lower life satisfaction than non-smokers. Several personal and social factors were identified as important determinants for smoking.

Tobacco use among university students of Jazan Region: gender differences and associated factors

Objectives. The main objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of tobacco use and behavioral patterns among undergraduate students at higher education institutions in the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia during the 2011-2012 academic year and to investigate factors that contribute to tobacco use by gender. Methods. A cross-sectional study of 4100 undergraduate students was conducted. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on the extent and pattern of tobacco consumption and factors associated with tobacco use. Results. Current smokers accounted for 16.8% (95% CI: 15.6–18.1) of the population sampled; 25.6% (95% CI: 23.8–27.5) of males were current smokers, whereas only 4.6% (95% CI: 3.6–5.8) of females were current smokers (P = 0.000). Multivariate analysis revealed that the most important variables explaining tobacco use among study participants were the use of khat (OR = 14.05; P = 0.000), smoking status of friends (OR = 2.25; P = 0.000), and substance use by friends (OR = 1.81; P = 0.001). Conclusions. The results demonstrated that khat use was the main predictor for smoking in Jazan for both males and females. Interventions should be designed to reduce the use of tobacco among university students.

Psychosocial predictors of smoking among secondary school students in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of the current smoking status among secondary school students in Al-Hassa, Saudi Arabia. A total of 1,652 secondary school adolescents were selected by multistage proportionate sampling method. Data collection was carried out through self-administered anonymous questionnaire including: Arabic version of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey, modified Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence and Patient Health Questionnaire to asses for anxiety and depressive disorders. This study revealed that the prevalence of current smokers was 21.7. Seventy-one percent of current cigarette smokers were minimally nicotine dependent. Major depressive and anxiety disorders were significantly higher among current smokers. Hierarchical regression analysis shows that, male, older age, smoking of close relatives and friends, anxiety disorders and socializing motives were statistically significant determinants of current smoking status among the included adolescents. Family members should be made aware of the detrimental influence their smoking behavior has on their youth. Counseling and preventive psychiatric services should be an integral part of the clinical facilities caring for secondary school students.