Revista de Enfermagem e Cuidados

Prevalence of Tobacco Smoking and Associated Factors among High Students at Misha District, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Tilahun Ermeko, Abate Lette, Yonas Lamore, Yohannes Kebede

Background: Globally, tobacco smoking has a great health impact among youths especially in developing countries. There is limited data on the smoking habits of high school students in developing countries. Smoking behavior in high school students is increasing and it has a significant effect on smoking practice of the future generations. The aim of this study was assessed of prevalence of tobacco smoking and associated factors among high school students Misha district, southern Ethiopia.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of tobacco smoking and associated factors among high school students in Misha district southern Ethiopia; moreover, it will furnish important directions for intervention and prevention of smoking among the students in high schools in Misha district.

Methods: A school based cross- sectional study was conducted among high school students in Misha district southern Ethiopia from March 01 to April 30, 2017. Multi stage sampling technique was used to select 352 study participants. Data was collected using pre-tested and structured self- administered questionnaire. The data was entered in to Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 24. In addition, of descriptive statistics for describing data and multivariate logistic regression analyses was used to identify associated factors.

Results: Three hundred fifty-two students were participated in the study. The prevalence of current smoking among high school students was 11.1% (95% CI: 8.0, 14.5). The odds of smoking in males were higher as compared to females (AOR=2.5; 95% CI: 1.0, 6.2). Having smoking mothers were more likely to smoke compared with their counterparts (AOR=3.6; 95% CI: 16, 8.0); also having smoking fathers were more likely to smoke compared with students who haven’t smoking fathers (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI: 1.4, 7.3). The students having smoking sisters were more likely to smoke compared with their counterparts (AOR = 3.3; 95% CI: 1.5, 7. 6). This study also found that the khat chewing practice was three folds increases the odds of current cigarette smoking among parents. (AOR = 3.0; 95% CI: 1.6.6.2; 95% CI: 1.2, 4). Those, who having smoking peer were more likely to smoke compared to those do not have smoking peers. (AOR = 2.6; 95% CI: 1.2, 6.0)

Conclusion and Recommendations: This study found that a prevalence of current smoking practice in Misha district southern Ethiopia is high. In addition, this study revealed that high school students` Current tobacco smoking is significantly associated with male sex, having smoking parents, having smoking sisters, khat chewing practice and having smoking peers. These factors should be thought for further prevention and control of smoking among high school students. Moreover, families of the students should be strongly prohibited their use of tobacco by strongly legislating law of the countries against tobacco use.