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...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Afrikaans |
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AOSIS
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2832 |
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| author | Gcinile V. Ngwenya Refiloe M. Malaka Lindiwe P. Cele Modikwe Rammopo |
| author_facet | Gcinile V. Ngwenya Refiloe M. Malaka Lindiwe P. Cele Modikwe Rammopo |
| author_sort | Gcinile V. Ngwenya |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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% (n = 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), p = 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. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-25a299dcae324ca381f9f0f8dadbdb43 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1025-9848 2071-9736 |
| language | Afrikaans |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-25a299dcae324ca381f9f0f8dadbdb432025-08-20T03:03:44ZafrAOSISHealth SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences1025-98482071-97362025-03-01300e1e610.4102/hsag.v30i0.28321233Factors associated with cigarette smoking among learners at a high school in KwaZulu-NatalGcinile V. Ngwenya0Refiloe M. Malaka1Lindiwe P. Cele2Modikwe Rammopo3Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health Care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, TshwaneDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Health Care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, TshwaneDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Health Care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, TshwaneDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Health Care Sciences, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, TshwaneBackground: 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% (n = 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), p = 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.https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2832adolescentsamajuba districtcigarette smokinghigh school learnerssmoking behaviours |
| spellingShingle | Gcinile V. Ngwenya Refiloe M. Malaka Lindiwe P. Cele Modikwe Rammopo Factors associated with cigarette smoking among learners at a high school in KwaZulu-Natal Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences adolescents amajuba district cigarette smoking high school learners smoking behaviours |
| title | Factors associated with cigarette smoking among learners at a high school in KwaZulu-Natal |
| title_full | Factors associated with cigarette smoking among learners at a high school in KwaZulu-Natal |
| title_fullStr | Factors associated with cigarette smoking among learners at a high school in KwaZulu-Natal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Factors associated with cigarette smoking among learners at a high school in KwaZulu-Natal |
| title_short | Factors associated with cigarette smoking among learners at a high school in KwaZulu-Natal |
| title_sort | factors associated with cigarette smoking among learners at a high school in kwazulu natal |
| topic | adolescents amajuba district cigarette smoking high school learners smoking behaviours |
| url | https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2832 |
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