Correlates of smoking susceptibility among adolescents in a peri-urban area of Nepal

A population-based cross-sectional study in the Jhaukhel-Duwakot Health Demographic Surveillance Site

Bibliographic Data

ID19530442
AuthorsUmesh Raj Aryal (0000-0002-1809-4071, University of Gothenburg, corresponding author), Max Petzold (0000-0003-4908-2169, University of Gothenburg), Göran Bondjers (University of Gothenburg), Alexandra Krettek (0000-0002-4583-9315, Nordic School of Public Health)
Year2014
Volume7
Issue1
Pages24488-24488
Publication date2014-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGlobal Health Action (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1654-9716 • E-ISSN: 1654-9880
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.3402/gha.v7.24488
PMID25034345
OpenAlexW2026624285
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited39

BACKGROUND: Susceptibility to smoking is defined as an absence of firm commitment not to smoke in the future or when offered a cigarette by best friends. Susceptibility begins in adolescence and is the first step in the transition to becoming an established smoker. Many scholars have hypothesized and studied whether psychosocial risk factors play a crucial role in preventing adolescent susceptibility to smoking or discourage susceptible adolescents from becoming established smokers. Our study examined sociodemographic and family and childhood environmental factors associated with smoking susceptibility among adolescents in a peri-urban area of Nepal. DESIGN: We conducted a population-based cross-sectional study during October-November 2011 in the Jhaukhel-Duwakot Health Demographic Surveillance Site (JD-HDSS) located in a peri-urban area near Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, where tobacco products are easily available. Trained local enumerators conducted face-to-face interviews with 352 respondents aged 14-16. We used stepwise logistic regression to assess sociodemographic and family and childhood environmental factors associated with smoking susceptibility. RESULTS: The percentage of smoking susceptibility among respondents was 49.70% (95% CI: 44.49; 54.93). Multivariable analysis demonstrated that smoking susceptibility was associated with smoking by exposure of adolescents to pro-tobacco advertisements (AOR [adjusted odds ratio] =2.49; 95% CI: 1.46-4.24), the teacher (2.45; 1.28-4.68), adolescents attending concerts/picnics (2.14; 1.13-4.04), and smoking by other family members/relatives (1.76; 1.05-2.95). CONCLUSIONS: Smoking susceptible adolescents are prevalent in the JD-HDSS, a peri-urban community of Nepal. Several family and childhood environmental factors increased susceptibility to smoking among Nepalese non-smoking adolescents. Therefore, intervention efforts need to be focused on family and childhood environmental factors with emphasis on impact of role models smoking, refusal skills in social gatherings, and discussing harmful effects of smoking with family members and during gatherings with friends

Capital city · Cross-sectional study · Environmental health · Geography · Logistic regression · Odds · Odds ratio · Population · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Psychosocial · Public health · Tobacco control · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Demography · Energy and Environment Impacts · Medicine · Smoking Behavior and Cessation

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