ABSTRACTS FOR THE 1ST INTERNATIONAL BORNEO HEALTHCARE AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONFERENCE AND 4TH BORNEO TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONGRESS. New Frontiers in Health: Expecting the Unexpected
Held at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. 3rd-5th September 2019
Introduction: Smoking kills 5 million people a year and it is known to cause several types of cancer and chronic diseases. Majority of smokers started smoking during adolescence and therefore preventing tobacco use among adolescents is critical to prevent them from future smoking. Our study aims to investigate the prevalence of current cigarette smoking and its associated factors among male adolescents in Malaysia.
Methods: Data was obtained from the National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS): Adolescent Health Survey (AHS) 2017 which was a cross-sectional study. A two-stage stratified cluster sampling design was used to select a nationally representative sample of school-going adolescents in Malaysia. Data collection was conducted using a validated self-administered questionnaire. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the associated factors of current cigarette smoking among male adolescents in Malaysia.
Results: Approximately one-fifth (22.4%) of male adolescents were current cigarette smokers. Male adolescents who aged 16-17 years, from rural schools, those whose parents were widowed/ divorced/ separated, those who had either one or both parents/guardians who used tobacco product, those who were current illicit drug users and current alcohol users were more likely to be current cigarette smokers.
Conclusion: A substantial percentage of Malaysian male adolescents were current cigarette smokers. Anti-smoking campaigns and tobacco prevention initiatives should be targeted at adolescents at risk to prevent them from becoming cigarette smokers.
Study name: National Health and Morbidity Survey (NHMS-2017)