The association between studying in health promoting schools and adolescent smoking and alcohol consumption in Lithuania

Abstract

The concept of the Health Promoting School (HPS) encourages a holistic approach to promoting health in schools, instead of a more traditional education on health. The aim of this paper was to determine the association between studying in a HPS and smoking and alcohol consumption among adolescents. A cross-sectional study of 3574 adolescents from 44 HPS and 66 non-HPSs was conducted. The association between studying in a HPS and smoking and alcohol consumption among adolescents was analysed using logistic regression models. Pearson's χ2 test was used to determine the differences between HPS and non-HPS students' sociodemographic characteristics, and the difference in distribution of students who smoked and consumed alcohol at various rates across different groups. Studying in a HPS setting was not significantly associated with adolescent smoking or attempts to smoke. Compared to HPS students, non-HPS students had a significantly higher chance of attempting to consume alcohol and consumed alcohol once a month or more frequently. In comparing the distribution of HPS and non-HPS students according to the frequency of smoking and alcohol consumption across various groups of respondents, it was determined that some factors were associated with frequency of smoking and alcohol consumption among adolescents. The results of the study showed that studying in a HPS was associated with a reduction in both smoking and alcohol consumption, and therefore it is advisable to further develop the HPS network. However, both the individual and educational characteristics of adolescents must be taken into account when planning prevention measures.

Keywords: adolescent; alcohol consumption; health promoting school; smoking.