CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Predictors of current cigarette smoking and second-hand smoking among school going adolescents in Zambia: Global Youth Tobacco Survey 2021 study
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1
Community and Family Medicine, university of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
2
Public Health, Copperbelt University, Ndola, Zambia
Publication date: 2025-06-23
Tob. Induc. Dis. 2025;23(Suppl 1):A617
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ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Adolescent’s smoking remains a significant public health concern. In Zambia the tobacco industry has specifically targeted adolescents with the aim of getting them to become life-long smokers and, consequently, long-term customers. Inadequate public smoking policies have led to a significant increase in second-hand smoke exposure, posing a substantial public health risk. aim is to determine the predictors of current cigarette smoking and second-hand smoking in Zambia
METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving two-stage cluster sampling. Logistic regression was used to obtain unadjusted (AOR) and adjusted odds ratios (AOR) at 95% confidence interval (CI).
RESULTS: Of the 2008 students interviewed, 8.0% (9.5% of male and 6.3% of female) were current cigarettes smokers. Predictors were <13 age (AOR = 1.60; 95% CI: 1.52-1.68), being male (AOR = 1.31; 95% CI: 1.31-1.34), Current smokeless tobacco use (AOR = 3.61; 95% CI: 3.53-3.71), having a father who smoke every day in the house (AOR = 1.63; 95% CI: 1.57-1.69) and having closest friends smoke cigarettes (AOR = 1.83; 95% CI: 1.74-1.93). Overall, 59.2% were exposed to second-hand smoke; 27% at home, 42% in an enclosed public place and 45.4% outdoor public exposure. Predictors of second-hand smoking were <12 age and 12 years (AOR = 1.19; 95% CI: 1.16-1.23) and (AOR = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.15-1.20) respectively, having close friends who smoke (AOR = 1.70; 95% CI: 1.66-1.74) and seeing or hearing anti-tobacco media messages on television or radio, (AOR = 1.24; 95% CI: 1.23,1.25). Males were less likely to be exposed (AOR = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.90-0.91).
CONCLUSIONS: The findings underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive smoking prevention intervention in schools, coupled with the reinforcement of smoking policies to curb smoking in public spaces and homes. These measures are crucial to mitigate the risks associated with second-hand smoke and protect public health