Prevalence Rates and Predictors for Smoking Cigarettes Among Adolescents Attending School in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau

Substance use is a growing problem among young people in sub-Saharan Africa who increasingly adopt the habit of smoking cigarettes. The aim was to analyse prevalence rates and identify predictors for cigarette smoking among school-attending adolescents in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. In June 2017, a surve...

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Main Authors: Geir Gunnlaugsson, Aladje Baldé, Zeca Jandi, Hamadou Boiro, Jónína Einarsdóttir
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Adolescents
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7051/4/4/35
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author Geir Gunnlaugsson
Aladje Baldé
Zeca Jandi
Hamadou Boiro
Jónína Einarsdóttir
author_facet Geir Gunnlaugsson
Aladje Baldé
Zeca Jandi
Hamadou Boiro
Jónína Einarsdóttir
author_sort Geir Gunnlaugsson
collection DOAJ
description Substance use is a growing problem among young people in sub-Saharan Africa who increasingly adopt the habit of smoking cigarettes. The aim was to analyse prevalence rates and identify predictors for cigarette smoking among school-attending adolescents in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. In June 2017, a survey questionnaire was implemented in 16 schools in a class-based, random sample of 2039 adolescents aged 14–19 (52% girls). The chi-square (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and odds ratios (OR) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Potential explanatory variables for the dependent variables were introduced into a multinomial logistic regression model, and <i>p</i>-values were transformed to LogWorth values. The prevalence rate for lifetime smoking experience was 14.8%, 4.0% for occasional smoking (<30 days), and 2.4% for daily smoking. The most significant predictors for cigarette smoking included having friends who smoke, being a boy, attending a private school, smoking initiation at a young age, other substance use, and violent behaviour. It is imperative to initiate preventive actions against smoking and other use of tobacco in Guinea-Bissau. Considering the significant impact of the peer group, policymakers need to engage young people in developing primary prevention strategies to curb the use of tobacco and other substances.
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spelling doaj-art-cc7ff41facec49068b364e9fe0c51b8a2025-08-20T02:01:05ZengMDPI AGAdolescents2673-70512024-10-014449351110.3390/adolescents4040035Prevalence Rates and Predictors for Smoking Cigarettes Among Adolescents Attending School in Bissau, Guinea-BissauGeir Gunnlaugsson0Aladje Baldé1Zeca Jandi2Hamadou Boiro3Jónína Einarsdóttir4Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics, School of Social Sciences, University of Iceland, IS-102 Reykjavik, IcelandOffice of the Rector, Jean Piaget University of Guinea-Bissau, Bissau, Guinea-BissauInstituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisa (INEP), Avenida dos Combatentes da Liberdade da Pátria, Complexo Escolar 14 de Novembro, Bissau, Guinea-BissauFaculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics, School of Social Sciences, University of Iceland, IS-102 Reykjavik, IcelandFaculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics, School of Social Sciences, University of Iceland, IS-102 Reykjavik, IcelandSubstance use is a growing problem among young people in sub-Saharan Africa who increasingly adopt the habit of smoking cigarettes. The aim was to analyse prevalence rates and identify predictors for cigarette smoking among school-attending adolescents in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. In June 2017, a survey questionnaire was implemented in 16 schools in a class-based, random sample of 2039 adolescents aged 14–19 (52% girls). The chi-square (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and odds ratios (OR) were calculated with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Potential explanatory variables for the dependent variables were introduced into a multinomial logistic regression model, and <i>p</i>-values were transformed to LogWorth values. The prevalence rate for lifetime smoking experience was 14.8%, 4.0% for occasional smoking (<30 days), and 2.4% for daily smoking. The most significant predictors for cigarette smoking included having friends who smoke, being a boy, attending a private school, smoking initiation at a young age, other substance use, and violent behaviour. It is imperative to initiate preventive actions against smoking and other use of tobacco in Guinea-Bissau. Considering the significant impact of the peer group, policymakers need to engage young people in developing primary prevention strategies to curb the use of tobacco and other substances.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7051/4/4/35Africasouth of the Saharatobaccosurveys and questionnairessocioeconomic factorsadolescents health
spellingShingle Geir Gunnlaugsson
Aladje Baldé
Zeca Jandi
Hamadou Boiro
Jónína Einarsdóttir
Prevalence Rates and Predictors for Smoking Cigarettes Among Adolescents Attending School in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
Adolescents
Africa
south of the Sahara
tobacco
surveys and questionnaires
socioeconomic factors
adolescents health
title Prevalence Rates and Predictors for Smoking Cigarettes Among Adolescents Attending School in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
title_full Prevalence Rates and Predictors for Smoking Cigarettes Among Adolescents Attending School in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
title_fullStr Prevalence Rates and Predictors for Smoking Cigarettes Among Adolescents Attending School in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence Rates and Predictors for Smoking Cigarettes Among Adolescents Attending School in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
title_short Prevalence Rates and Predictors for Smoking Cigarettes Among Adolescents Attending School in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau
title_sort prevalence rates and predictors for smoking cigarettes among adolescents attending school in bissau guinea bissau
topic Africa
south of the Sahara
tobacco
surveys and questionnaires
socioeconomic factors
adolescents health
url https://www.mdpi.com/2673-7051/4/4/35
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