[Cigarette smoking prevalence and associated factors in secondary school children in Catalunya]

Aten Primaria. 2013 Jun-Jul;45(6):315-23. doi: 10.1016/j.aprim.2012.12.007. Epub 2013 Feb 12.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze those factors associated with cigarette smoking in adolescent school children, in order to plan future school interventions for promoting good health strategies developed by the schools and Primary Health Care professionals.

Design: Cross-sectional study with a two-stage cluster sampling.

Setting: The study included 97 schools, and was carried out in 2005-06 in Catalonia (Spain).

Participants: 14-16 year-old secondary school children.

Main measures: The survey was based on a self-administered paper-based questionnaire that collected sociodemographic variables, academic level, health status, family variables, sexual relations, addictive substances, mood state, and variables related to opinions on cigarette smoking The association between these variables and smoker/non-smoker variable was analyzed, as well as factors that could increase the probability of becoming a smoker using multilevel models.

Results: A total of 9340 completed questionnaires, including 4653 from males, were received from the pupils, with a mean age of 15.2 years. The results showed that 71.1% of pupils were non-smokers, 75% of whom were males and 67.3% of females. The following factors increased the probability of becoming a smoker (OR and 95%CI): being a female 0.60 (0.53-0.68), being in the 4(th) year 1.27 (1.12-1.43), low academic performance 3.38 (2.74-4.17), self-reported regular/poor health status 2.81 (2.21-3.58), smoking parents 1.68 (1.45-1.95), alcohol consumption 5.05 (4.35-5.86), having 3 or more problems of mood state 1.22 (1.05-1.41), living without parents 1.59 (1.07-2.38), agreeing with tobacco industry advertising 1.64 (1.45-1.85) and believing that tobacco acts as a relaxant 3.57 (3.23-4.17).

Conclusions: Although the majority of pupils were non-smokers, smoking was more prevalent among females. The factors associated with cigarette smoking in the adolescents included sociodemographic, sociocultural, and personal environmental factors, as well as their opinions on the habit.

Objetivos: Analizar aquellos factores asociados al consumo de tabaco en adolescentes para plantear futuras intervenciones de promoción de la salud desarrolladas por las escuelas y centros de atención primaria.

Diseño: Estudio transversal, muestreo por conglomerados bietápico.

Emplazamiento: Se incluyeron 97 centros escolares de Cataluña, 2005-2006.

Participantes: Se obtuvieron 9.340 cuestionarios completos de estudiantes entre 14-16 años.

Mediciones principales: Encuesta autoadministrada que recogía variables sociodemográficas, académicas, estado de salud, familiares, relaciones sexuales, sustancias adictivas, estados de ánimo y variables de opinión sobre el consumo. Se analizó la asociación de estas variables con la variable dependiente fumador/no fumador y también fueron analizadas como factores que aumentaban la probabilidad de ser fumador mediante modelos multinivel.

Resultados: Se incluyeron 4.653 chicos y 4.687 chicas, con una edad media de 15,2 años. El 71,1% de los estudiantes eran no fumadores, el 75% de los chicos y el 67,3% de las chicas. Aumentaban la probabilidad de ser fumador (OR e IC 95%): ser chica 0,60 (0,53-0,68), cursar 4.o ESO 1,27 (1,12-1,43), tener un rendimiento escolar bajo 3,38 (2,74-4,17), tener una autopercepción de salud regular/mala 2,81 (2,21-3,58), tener padres fumadores 1,68 (1,45-1,95), consumir alcohol 5,05 (4,35-5,86), tener 3 o más problemas de estado de ánimo 1,22 (1,05-1,41), vivir sin ningún progenitor 1,59 (1,07-2,38), estar de acuerdo en que exista publicidad sobre tabaco 1,64 (1,45-1,85), y opinar que el tabaco ayuda a relajarse 3,57 (3,23-4,17).

Conclusiones: Aunque la mayoría de los estudiantes eran no fumadores, el consumo de tabaco era más prevalente en las chicas. Factores sociodemográficos, socioculturales, del entorno y opinión se asociaban con el consumo de tabaco entre los jóvenes.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Schools
  • Smoking / epidemiology*
  • Spain / epidemiology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires