Exposure to Outdoor Tobacco Advertisements Near Home is Associated with Smoking among Youth in Indonesia

Exposure to outdoor cigarette advertisements and cigarette retailers near Indonesian schools: Density, proximity, and students' self-report of exposure

INTRODUCTION

Adolescents are vulnerable to tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorships (TAPS). The presence of TAPS, specifically outdoor cigarette advertisements (OCA) and cigarette retailers (CR), impacts adolescent smoking behavior. This study examined the presence of OCA and CR near Indonesian schools and students' report of their TAPs exposure.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study in the three diverse districts (Serang, Banyuwangi, and East Lombok) and a city district (Padang), Indonesia on September 2022-April 2023. In each district, we selected the three subdistricts with the most schools and the highest population density. Enumerators mapped all outdoor OCA and CR using Global Positioning System (GPS) devices. In selected schools within the study areas, we surveyed 6715 students about their TAPs exposure using face-to-face interviews. Students were selected using multistage cluster sampling. Data were analyzed descriptively using STATA 14.2.

RESULTS

Of the 21460 retailers identified in the subdistricts, 30.4% were CR. The proportion of CR varied by district, between 24.8% and 40.7%. East Lombok had the highest percentage. Additionally, Banyuwangi had the highest density of CR. There were 13660 OCA points (district range 1918-6472). Around schools, banners were the most common OCA form (62.1%). Posters were second (32.8%). The retailers who sold the most cigarettes in the four districts were in kiosks. The density of CR and OCA per km2 increased as the distance from schools decreased. Students' self-reported exposure to tobacco products was higher from OCA and CR than from the internet, television, and magazines/newspapers.

CONCLUSIONS

OCA and CR are ubiquitous around schools. The Indonesian government should assess OCA and CR regulations and limit OCA and CR close to schools.

Assessing the Policy of Non-Smoking Areas in Schools in Indonesia: A Mixed Methods Study

BACKGROUND

Regulations in the form of Regional Regulations on Non-Smoking Areas are efforts to prevent smoking in schools. We will show qualitatively and quantitatively whether the policy can control smoke-free schools since 2015 in Muaro Jambi Regency. However, the implementation is still not optimal, even almost not implemented following the mandate of government regulation Number 109 of 2012 and regional regulation Number 5 of 2018. This study aims to evaluate the implementation of the smoke-free area policy in schools in Muaro Jambi Regency.

METHOD

Research using mixed method study employing quantitative through distribution survey of smoke-free zones and qualitative by interviewing 31 schools of informants and observing 499 points of educational institutions. Selection of informants by considering the criteria of adequacy and suitability of data analysis with content analysis.

RESULTS

The cause of the non-implementation of the smoke-free area policy is the lack of socialization of local regulations. The regulation of non-smoking area bylaws has not been made, implementing rules with the decree of the law. Schools do not run areas without cigarettes because they do not fully understand the rules, namely that they are not allowed to smoke in all school environments and health facilities. Oversight of the no-smoking area policy has not been carried out due to the lack of policy support from policymakers and sources of funds for monitoring the no-smoking area.

CONCLUSION

No smoking area policy is meaningless if there is neglect in its implementation so that it does not impact the compliance of smoking behavior following the No Smoking Area policy. The need for the commitment of school leaders in implementing and operational rules from the regional regulations in the implementation of smoke-free areas.

Growing Up Unequal: Disparities of Childhood Overweight and Obesity in Indonesia's 514 Districts

BACKGROUND

Childhood obesity is a major public health concern as it increases the risk of premature death and adult disability. Globally, the latest estimates showed that more than 340 million children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 19 were overweight or obese in 2016. This study aimed to investigate the disparities in childhood overweight and obesity across 514 districts in Indonesia, based on geographic and socioeconomic factors.

METHODS

Geospatial and quantitative analyses were performed using the latest Indonesian Basic Health Survey data from 2018. Dependent variables were rates of overweight and obesity among children aged 5-17 years including by gender.

RESULTS

This study found that the rates of overweight were 17.2%, 17.6%, and 16.8% among all children, boys, and girls, while the rates of obesity were 7.0%, 7.9%, and 6.1%, respectively. Boys were 1.30 times more likely to be obese than girls, while overweight was similar between both sexes. Urban cities had significantly higher prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity compared with rural districts by up to 1.26 and 1.32 times, respectively. In addition, the most developed region had significantly higher prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity than the least developed region by up to 1.37 and 1.38 times, respectively. With regard to socioeconomic factors, our analysis demonstrated a notable disparity in the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity across income quintiles. Specifically, the wealthiest districts exhibited a 1.18 times higher prevalence of overweight and obesity among all children compared with the poorest districts. This association was particularly pronounced among boys; in the richest quintile, the prevalence of overweight and obesity was 1.24 and 1.26 times higher, respectively, in comparison to the poorest income quintile. In contrast, district-level education appears to exhibit an inverse relationship with the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity, although the findings were not statistically significant.

Disparities in Obesity Rates among Adults: Analysis of 514 Districts in Indonesia

BACKGROUND

Globally, it was estimated that over 650 million adults 18 years old and older were obese in 2016. It is an increasing global health challenge with a significant health and economic impact. Thus, understanding geographic and socioeconomic disparities in obesity among adults is crucial.

METHODS

We combined geospatial and quantitative analyses to assess the disparity in obesity across 514 districts in Indonesia. We used the Basic Health Survey (Riskesdas) 2018 for obesity data and the World Bank database for socioeconomic data. Dependent variables included obesity prevalence among all adults (18+ years), males, females, young adults (18-24 years), adults (25-59 years), and older adults (60+ years).

RESULTS

We found significant geographic and socioeconomic disparities in adult obesity in Indonesia. In terms of region, districts in Java and Bali had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity than those in Papua, Maluku, and Nusa Tenggara. Districts in Java had 29%, 32%, 60%, and 28% higher prevalence of obesity among all adults, female adults, young adults, and adults. By income, compared to the poorest ones, most affluent districts had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity; they had a 36%, 39%, 34%, 42%, 33%, and 73% higher prevalence of obesity among all adults, males, females, young adults, adults, and older adults. Similarly, by education, compared to the least educated ones, the most educated districts had a significantly higher prevalence of obesity; they had a 34%, 42%, 29%, 36%, and 80% higher prevalence of obesity among all adults, males, females, adults, and older adults.

CONCLUSIONS

There are significant disparities in adult obesity among 514 districts in Indonesia. Efforts by policymakers and stakeholders are needed to reduce obesity among adults, especially within districts with high prevalence.