ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Very few published studies are available on smoking in schools In Guinea. This investigation was designed to determine the extent of smoking in Guinean urban schools. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to june 2012. Students from four public schools in the municipality of Dixinn were anonymously interviewed by self-administered questionnaire concerning their smoking habits. The questionnaires were then analysed by SPSS 20 software RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking, always in the form of cigarettes, was 13.4% (C/95%: 10.6-16.1) among college students. Early initiation of smoking was observed (13.9 years) and smokers frequently expressed the prospect of withdrawal. The most common predisposing factor was the imitation of the environment (32.9%). The influence of fashion and advertising (45.6%) and imitation of the per group (32.9%) were the factors most frequently cited to promote smoking. Male gender [odd ratio= 7.9 (95% confidence interval3.8 to 16.9)], having a close friend who smoked [1.7 (1.1-2.8)], and frequently seeing other students smoking {3 8 (2.3 to 6.2)] were associated with smoking. CONCLUSION: Smoking is common among college students in Conakry, Guinea. The authorities, including educational authorities, should be more actively involved in the fight against this growing scourge in developing countries.
