Behavioural perspective of tobacco use among youth of Vidarbha region of Maharashtra state in central part of India / Perspectiva comportamental do uso do tabaco entre jovens da região de Vidarbha, no estado de Maharashtra, na parte central da Índia

Objective: this study was conducted to find out the youth perspective about the use of tobacco and its ill effects. The survey was conducted at a private Engineering college of Nagpur, Maharashtra India. Material and Methods: a cross-sectional study with self-administered modified Global youth tobacco survey (GYTS) questionnaire was used for data collection. Eight hundred nine college students of age group between 17 year-24years were included in this study. The questionnaire comprised of information on socio-demographic characteristics and questionnaire was used to gather data on knowledge, attitude and practices of participants about tobacco use. Data analysis was performed by using chi-square test and Statistical significance was measured at a level of 0.05. Results: out of 806 total participants, 136 (16.8) were current tobacco consumers, significantly high prevalence of tobacco use was observed among boys 106 (13.1) than girls 30 (3.7). Moreover, a higher number of boys 106 (13.1) started smoking at young adolescent age (13- 20 years) than girls30 (3.7). Conclusions: the findings in the study suggest that tobacco use is still an important risk behavior amongst students. Tobacco use was comparatively higher amongst boys though its use is not restricted to them only. There is a need to plan to gather nationwide baseline data on the use of tobacco by young adolescents and the factors associated with initiation of tobacco habit. (AU)

Objetivo: Este estudo foi realizado para descobrir a perspectiva dos jovens sobre o uso do tabaco e seus efeitos nocivos. A pesquisa foi realizada em uma faculdade de engenharia privada de Nagpur, na Índia Maharashtra. Material e Métodos: Foi utilizado um estudo transversal com questionário autoadministrado de pesquisa global de tabaco juvenil modificado (GYTS) para coleta de dados. Oitocentos e nove estudantes universitários de faixa etária entre 17 e 24 anos foram incluídos neste estudo. Utilizou-se o questionário composto por informações sobre características sociodemográficas e para coleta de dados sobre conhecimentos, atitudes e práticas dos participantes em relação ao uso do tabaco. A análise dos dados foi realizada pelo teste do qui-quadrado e a significância estatística foi medida em um nível de 0,05. Resultados: Dos 806 participantes no total, 136 (16,8) eram consumidores atuais de tabaco com prevalência significativamente mais alta entre os meninos 106 (13,1) do que as meninas 30 (3,7). Além disso, um número maior de meninos 106 (13,1) começou a fumar na adolescência (13 a 20 anos) comparado ao número de meninas 30 (3,7). Conclusões: Os achados do estudo sugerem que o uso de tabaco ainda é um importante fator de risco comportamental entre os estudantes. O tabagismo foi comparativamente maior entre os meninos, embora seu uso não seja restrito apenas a eles. Há uma necessidade de planejar a coleta de dados de referência nacionais sobre o uso de tabaco por jovens adolescentes e os fatores associados ao início do hábito do tabagismo. (AU)

Tobacco Use Among Students Aged 13-15 Years in South Korea: The 2013 Global Youth Tobacco Survey / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: We examined the prevalence of tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke among middle-school students in Korea using the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) in 2013. METHODS: The GYTS in Korea was conducted between July and August 2013 by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Data were collected using a self-administered anonymous questionnaire from a nationally representative sample of middle-school students aged 13-15 years in sampled classrooms. RESULTS: The GYTS in Korea was completed by 4235 students aged 13-15 years in 43 middle schools. Approximately one in five of the students (17.8%) reported that they had tried cigarettes in the past, while 5.2% reported currently being cigarette smokers. Current cigarette smoking was higher in boys (7.5%) than in girls (2.6%). Of the students, 29.7% had been exposed to secondhand smoke at home, 47.4% inside enclosed public places, and 53.9% in outdoor public places. Of the current cigarette smokers, 25.7% bought their cigarettes from a store despite a law prohibiting this. Additionally, 58.0% of students noticed point-of-sale tobacco advertisements or promotions, 66.8% of current cigarette smokers wanted to stop smoking, and 70.9% of students had been taught about the dangers of tobacco use in school. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide an opportunity to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive tobacco control policy. The results suggest that youth have relatively easy access to cigarettes and are regularly exposed to secondhand smoke in public places, as well as to point-of-sale tobacco advertisements and promotions. Strict enforcement of the ban on tobacco sales to youth, expanding smoke-free areas, and advertising bans are needed to reduce tobacco use among youth.

Levels and trends of smokeless tobacco use among youth in countries of the World Health Organization South-East Asia Region.

BACKGROUND: At least two rounds of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) have been completed in most of the countries in the World Health Organization South‑East Asia region. Comparing findings from these two rounds provides trend data on smokeless tobacco (SLT) use for the first time. METHODS: This study uses GYTS data from Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Timor‑Leste during 2006–2013. GYTS is a nationally representative survey of 13–15‑year‑old students using a consistent and standard protocol. Current SLT use is defined as using any kind of SLT products, such as chewing betel quid or nonbetel quid or snuffing any other products orally or through the nasal route, during the 30 days preceding the survey. Prevalence and 95% confidence intervals were computed using SAS/SUDAAN software. RESULTS: According to most recent GYTS data available in each country, the prevalence of current use of SLT among youth varied from 5.7% in Thailand to 23.2% in Bhutan; among boys, from 7.1% in Bangladesh to 27.2% in Bhutan; and among girls, from 3.7% in Bangladesh to 19.8% in Bhutan. Prevalence of SLT was reported significantly higher among boys than girls in Bhutan (boys 27.2%; girls 19.8%), India (boys 11.1%; girls 6.0%), Maldives (boys 9.2%; girls 2.9%), Myanmar (boys 15.2%; girls 4.0%), and Sri Lanka (boys 13.0%; girls 4.1%). Prevalence of current SLT use increased in Bhutan from 9.4% in 2009 to 23.2% in 2013, and in Nepal from 6.1% in 2007 to 16.2% in 2011. CONCLUSION: The findings call for countries to implement corrective measures through strengthened policy and enforcement.