Factors associated with cigarette smoking among learners at a high school in KwaZulu-Natal.

BACKGROUND

Young smokers are said to have increased risk of nicotine addiction, even at lower levels of consumption compared to adults, making smoking cessation among this group much more difficult. A survey previously conducted in South Africa indicated an early smoking debut age of below 18 years.

AIM

This study investigated the prevalence of cigarette smoking and associated factors among high school learners.

SETTING

The study was conducted at a high school located in Madadeni township of KwaZulu-Natal.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study collected data through interviews using self-administered questionnaires. Data analysis was conducted on Epi Info 7 and STATA 17.

RESULTS

Eighty-four (21%) of the 400 participants reported smoking cigarettes. Of these, forty-nine (58.3%) had a smoking friend. Sixty out of 81 (74.1%) accessed cigarettes from the shops, whilst 69.2% ( = 54/78) smoked inside the school premises. Seventy-seven (92.7%) of 83 smokers expressed intention to quit smoking. Higher odds of cigarette smoking were observed among participants who were male and those who had a smoking family member, respectively, (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.29-4.17) and (AOR = 5.82, 95% CI = 3.08-11.0), = < 0.05.

CONCLUSION

This study found 21% of high school learner participants who smoked cigarettes. Laws prohibiting smoking in schools and sale of cigarettes to minors should be reinforced.

CONTRIBUTION

intention to quit cigarette smoking as expressed by smoking learners calls for the establishment of school-based programme for smoking cessation.