Predicting tobacco use among high school students by using the global youth tobacco survey in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

To identify the predictors that lead to cigarette smoking among high school students by utilizing the global youth tobacco survey in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [KSA]. A cross-sectional study was conducted among high school students [grades 10-12] in Riyadh, KSA, between April 24, 2010, and June 16, 2010. The response rate of the students was 92.17%. The percentage of high school students who had previously smoked cigarettes, even just 1-2 puffs, was 43.3% overall. This behavior was more common among male students [56.4%] than females [31.3%]. The prevalence of students who reported that they are currently smoking at least one cigarette in the past 30 days was 19.5% [31.3% and 8.9% for males and females, respectively]. "Ever smoked" status was associated with male gender [OR = 2.88, confidence interval [CI] 2.28-3.63], parent smoking [OR = 1.70, CI 1.25-2.30] or other member of the household smoking [OR = 2.11, CI 1.59-2.81] who smoked, closest friends who smoked [OR = 8.17, CI 5.56-12.00], and lack of refusal to sell cigarettes [OR = 5.68, CI 2.09-15.48]. Several predictors of cigarette smoking among high school students were identified