scholarly journals Significant Others, Knowledge, and Belief on Smoking as Factors Associated with Tobacco Use in Italian Adolescents

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fiammetta Cosci ◽  
Vincenzo Zagà ◽  
Giuly Bertoli ◽  
Aquilele Campiotti

Tobacco use is dramatically increasing among youth. Growing attention has been addressed towards possible predictors of smoking in such a population. We evaluated a sample of Italian adolescents to verify whether adults and peers might influence their smoking status. Cross-sectional study was conducted in 16 schools of North Italy. Data were collected from 2001 to 2010 by means of a self-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic data and individual/social possible predictors of smoking. 2,444 students (56.7% boys; 43.3% girls; mean = 14.32 ± 1.384 years) were analysed. 607 (24.8%) were current smokers; 1,837 (75.2%) were nonsmokers. The presence of smokers in the family, seeing teachers who smoke, the influence of friends, and the feeling of inferiority were predictors of youth smoking as well as unawareness of nicotine dangerous action to health. Running the logistic multivariate analysis with all the variables listed above in the same model, the strongest predictors of smoking were as follows: being unaware that pipe/cigar is harmful to health as cigarettes; not knowing that passive smoking is harmful to the growth of children; having seen teachers smoking. The present findings help to identify the variables that might favour smoking in youth. Such variables should become the target of prevention programs.

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Salih Mahfouz ◽  
Rashad Mohammed Alsanosy ◽  
Abdelrahim Mutwakel Gaffar ◽  
Anwar Makeen

Objectives. The main objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of tobacco use and behavioral patterns among undergraduate students at higher education institutions in the Jazan Region of Saudi Arabia during the 2011-2012 academic year and to investigate factors that contribute to tobacco use by gender.Methods. A cross-sectional study of 4100 undergraduate students was conducted. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on the extent and pattern of tobacco consumption and factors associated with tobacco use.Results. Current smokers accounted for 16.8% (95% CI: 15.6–18.1) of the population sampled; 25.6% (95% CI: 23.8–27.5) of males were current smokers, whereas only 4.6% (95% CI: 3.6–5.8) of females were current smokers (P=0.000). Multivariate analysis revealed that the most important variables explaining tobacco use among study participants were the use of khat (OR=14.05;P=0.000), smoking status of friends (OR=2.25;P=0.000), and substance use by friends (OR=1.81;P=0.001).Conclusions. The results demonstrated that khat use was the main predictor for smoking in Jazan for both males and females. Interventions should be designed to reduce the use of tobacco among university students.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-63
Author(s):  
Sailaja Sharma ◽  
Ratna Shila Banstola ◽  
Sakuntala Pageni

Introduction: Tobacco is one of the proven risk factors, contributes substantially to the rising epidemic of non-communicable diseases. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of tobacco use and associated factors among adolescents of a selected public School in Kaski district. Non-probability purposive sampling technique was adopted and data was collected with self-administered questionnaire from 168 respondents. Results: The prevalence of tobacco-use was 19.6 percent and mean age of initiation was13.84 years. The most common reasons for smoking were peer pressure (63.3%), imitation (27.3%), family influence (27.3%) and quest for new experience (21.2%). Tobacco-use was strongly associated with ethnicity (p=0.03), mother's education level (p=0.02), father's occupation (p=0.03), peer pressure (p=0.01) and friends smoking habit (p=0.03). Conclusion: Tobacco-focused interventions are required for school going adolescents to promote cessation among users and prevent its initiation.


Author(s):  
Júlia Vasconcelos de Sá Alves ◽  
Waléria de Paula ◽  
Patrícia Ribeiro Rezende Netto ◽  
Brian Godman ◽  
Renata Cristina Rezende Macedo do Nascimento ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective The aim was to evaluate the prevalence and factors associated with anxiety disorders among university students of health sciences at Federal University of Ouro Preto, Brazil. Methods A cross-sectional study between March to June 2019. Data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire including sociodemographic, academic, family and behavioral issues. The Beck Anxiety Inventory was used to assess anxiety. Estimates were obtained through the prevalence ratio and Poisson multivariate analysis. Results Four hundred and ninety-three students participated with a mean age of 23.1 and predominantly women (79.9%). All students had some degree of anxiety, with the frequency of the severe, moderate and mild forms being 28.0%, 29.8% and 27.0%, respectively. The factors associated with anxiety included having suffered psychological and/or physical violence in childhood, having suicidal thoughts, having a deceased parent, living with parents, being dissatisfied with the course and being in the exam period. Conclusions The prevalence of anxiety was high in our study and family problems prior to entering university seem to significantly influence the degree of anxiety, which may compromise the student’s academic and social performance.


2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sami Abdo Radman Al-Dubai ◽  
Kurubaran Ganasegeran ◽  
Mustafa Ahmed Mahdi Al-Shagga ◽  
Hematram Yadav ◽  
John T. Arokiasamy

Little is known about the relationships between adverse health effects and unhealthy behaviors among medical students using Facebook. The aim of this study was to determine the associations between adverse health effects and unhealthy behaviors with Facebook use. A cross-sectional study was conducted in a private university in Malaysia among 316 medical students. A self-administered questionnaire was used. It included questions on sociodemographics, pattern of Facebook use, social relationship, unhealthy behaviors, and health effects. Mean age was 20.5 (±2.7) years. All students had a Facebook account. The average daily Facebook surfing hours were 2.5 (±1.7). Significant associations were found between average hours of Facebook surfing and the following factors: isolation from family members and community, refusing to answer calls, musculoskeletal pain, headache, and eye irritation (P<0.005). The average hours spent on Facebook were significantly associated with holding urination and defecation while online, surfing Facebook until midnight, and postponing, forgetting, or skipping meals (P<0.005). The average hours spent on Facebook were associated with adverse health effects and unhealthy behaviors among medical students, as well as social isolation from the family and community.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yao Rodion KONU ◽  
Fifonsi Gbeasor-Komlanvi ◽  
Mouhoudine Yerima ◽  
Arnold Junior Sadio ◽  
Martin Kouame Tchankoni ◽  
...  

Introduction: Covid-19 vaccines can cause adverse events (AE) that can lead to increased hesitation or fear of vaccination. This study aims at estimating the prevalence of severe adverse events (SAEs) and their associated factors among health professionals (HPs) vaccinated with COVISHIELD(TM) vaccine in Togo. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 13th to 19th, 2021 in Togo among HPs who received the first dose of vaccine. An online self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data on sociodemographic characteristics and vaccination. SAEs were defined as one resulting in hospitalization, medical consultation, or inability to work the day following the administration of the vaccine. Regression analysis were performed to assess factors associated with SAEs. Results: A total of 1,639 HP (70.2% male) with a median age [IQR] of 32 years [27-40] participated. At least one AE was reported among 71.6% (95%CI= [69.3-73.8]). The most commonly reported AEs were pain at the injection site (91.0%), asthenia (74.3%), headache (68.7%), soreness (55.0%), and fever (47.5%). An increased libido was also reported in 3.0% of HP. Among HP who experienced AEs, 18.2% were unable to go to work the day after vaccination, 10.5% consulted a medical doctor, and 1.0% were hospitalized. The SAE prevalence was 23.8% (95%CI= [21.8-25.9]). Being <30 years (aOR=5.54; p<0.001), or 30-49 years (aOR=3.62; p<0.001) and being female (aOR=1.97; p<0.001) were associated with SAEs. Conclusion: Despite the occurrence of SAEs, current data collected in Togo about adverse events are reassuring with COVISHIELD(TM) vaccine and how they could be managed. Keywords: Severe adverse event, COVID-19, vaccine, prevalence, health professionals, Togo.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
David R. Soriano-Moreno ◽  
Daniel Fernandez-Guzman ◽  
Fabricio Ccami-Bernal ◽  
Cristhian Rojas-Miliano ◽  
Wendy Nieto-Gutierrez

Abstract Background Chlorine dioxide has been promoted as an alternative for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, especially in Peru, despite the lack of evidence to support its efficacy. This study aimed to evaluate the factors associated with chlorine dioxide consumption in the Peruvian population. Methods Analytical cross-sectional study. An adult Peruvian population was evaluated where chlorine dioxide consumption was divided into two groups according to the purpose of use: as prevention (individuals without COVID-19 history) and as treatment (individuals with COVID-19 history). The associated factors in each group were evaluated using Poisson regressions with the bootstrapping resampling method. Results Of 3610 participants included, 3213 reported no history of COVID-19, and 397 had been infected. The prevalence of chlorine dioxide consumption to prevent or treat COVID-19 was 8 and 16%, respectively. Factors either positively or negatively associated with chlorine dioxide consumption for prevention were male sex (aPR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.09–1.71), being an adult or older adult (aPR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.35–0.82), having a health sciences student within the family unit (aPR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.02–1.87), using medical information as the main source of information of COVID-19 (aPR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.40–0.80), having comorbidities for COVID-19 (aPR: 1.36; 95% CI: 1.01–1.82), considering COVID-19 dangerous and deadly (aPR: 0.57; 95% CI: 0.45–0.74), using medications (aPR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.25–2.06) and plants to prevent COVID-19 (aPR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.21–2.36), considering chlorine dioxide ineffective (aPR: 0.18; 95% CI: 0.18–0.24), and being uninformed of its efficacy (aPR: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.16–0.28). In addition, factors associated with chlorine dioxide consumption for treatment were considering COVID-19 dangerous and deadly (aPR: 0.56; 95% CI: 0.33–0.96), considering chlorine dioxide ineffective (aPR: 0.22; 95% CI: 0.12–0.42), and being uninformed of its efficacy (aPR: 0.15; 95% CI: 0.07–0.32). Conclusions The prevalence of chlorine dioxide consumption to treat COVID-19 was higher than prevent. It is important to apply information strategies, prioritizing population groups with certain characteristics that are associated with a higher consumption pattern.


Author(s):  
Sumana M. ◽  
Sreelatha C. Y. ◽  
Sundar M. ◽  
Narottam Das

Background: Cessation of tobacco is important to prevent non-communicable diseases and mortality. Smokers frequently approach doctors for various health ailments. This opportunity can be utilized to give tobacco cessation advice. This study aims to assess the clinician’s practice perspectives barriers and need for the training related to tobacco cessation.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted to explore tobacco cessation practices of clinicians of a teaching hospital attached to Medical College in Hassan, Karnataka, India. Pre-tested, pre-structured self-administered questionnaire was distributed to all the clinicians in person. All the Professors, Associate Professors, Assistant Professors, Senior Residents and Junior Residents in the departments coming in contact with smokers were included in the study and patients were also interviewed to assess their smoking status, willingness to quit and counselling by physicians using pre-structured oral questionnaire.Results: Almost 84.4% of clinicians said they ask about smoking history but only 50.9% said they assess patients’ willingness to quit smoking. 37% assist patients to quit smoking and 29.8% arranged follow up visits. 25% of clinicians mentioned undergraduate and postgraduate training prepared them to help patients quit smoking. Remaining said it was inadequate. All agreed that it is their role to help, motivate, discuss, speak, refer and monitor patients who smoke to quit.Conclusions: Majority of the doctors believed that they play a very important role in tobacco cessation activities. There is a need for Undergraduate and postgraduate skill based training to assist patients quit the tobacco habit. The study showed a need for adherence and reinforcement of tobacco cessation guidelines. 


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maginsh Dahal ◽  
Raj Kumar Subedi ◽  
Sudip Khanal ◽  
Anup Adhikari ◽  
Manoj Sigdel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: To determine the prevalence of premarital sex and its risk factors in Nepal.Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among adolescents in Nepal. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information from 6,147 unmarried adolescents. Random sampling by using a lottery method was applied to select 20 colleges from all three districts. All the students who were studying at those colleges were enrolled in the study. Simple and multivariate logistic regression analyses were carried out to analyse the associations of risk factors and premarital sex.Results: The prevalence of premarital sex was 38.1%. Male students were more likely to engage in premarital sex (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.04, confidence interval [CI]=1.76-2.36) than female students. Alcohol consumption (AOR=1.26, CI=1.08-1.47), smoking (AOR=1.69, CI=1.41-2.02), drug use (AOR=1.85, CI=1.23-2.83), going to night clubs (AOR=1.46, CI=1.24-1.70), clothing style of girls AOR=1.35, CI=1.15-1.58), clothing style of boys (AOR=3.51, CI=2.74-4.53), and unmarried friends having sex (AOR= 1.51, CI=1.31-1.73) were found to be major influencing factors for premarital sex. Moreover, students who had never received sex education were 2.92 times more likely to engage in premarital sex (CI=2.22-3.85) than those who had previously received sex education.Conclusions: We found several risk factors associated with premarital sex in Nepal. Preventing premarital sex may require the promotion of sex education.


2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 323-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmed Hussein Subki ◽  
Abdel Moniem Mukhtar ◽  
Rakan Salah Al-Harbi ◽  
Abdulaziz Khaled Alotaibi ◽  
Faisal Ghazi Mosaad ◽  
...  

Background and Objectives: Epilepsy is considered one of the most prevalent causes of morbidity in children. The aim of this study is to determine how epilepsy impacts the lives of children with epilepsy and their families. Methods: A translated version of the “Impact of Pediatric Epilepsy Scale” (IPES) questionnaire was completed by the 80 mothers of children with epilepsy, recruited at three hospitals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia This is a validated self-administered questionnaire used to assess the impact of epilepsy on the lives of the child and family, as well as the quality of life (QoL) of the child. Results: The mean age of children epilepsy was 6.32 years (SD = 3.22). The mean IPES score was 6.28 (SD = 8.42) and the mean child’s QoL was 2.85 (SD= 0.83). 87.5% of the mothers rated their child’s QoL as low. IPES score was significantly associated with cause of seizure (β=0.259; 95%-CI= 0.263 - 10.334; p = 0.039). Child’s QoL was significantly associated with frequency of seizure (β=0.251; 95%-CI= 0.016 - 0.568; p= 0.039) and child’s nationality (β=-0.270; 95%-CI -0.252, -0.013; p= 0.031). Conclusions: Pediatric epilepsy may have a greater impact on the lives of the child and the family when it is not comorbid with cerebral palsy. Quality of life tends to be lower for non-Saudi children, and children with more frequent seizures. Therefore, these groups may need more support in managing the impact that epilepsy has on their daily functioning and quality of life.


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