Smoking, behavioral factors and familial environment: a population based study with Brazilian adolescents / Tabaquismo, factores comportamentales y ambiente familiar: un estudio basado en la población de adolecentes brasileños

Objective The aim of the present study was to assess the association between smoking and both behavioral and environmental factors among adolescents in the public school system in the city of Campina Grande (northeastern Brazil). Methods An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out involving 574 schoolchildren between 10 and 19 years, with the use of a structured questionnaire addressing behavioral factors, environmental factors and smoking. The chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test were used for the statistical analysis (5 % level of significance). Results The prevalence of smoking was de 3.3 %. The lowest age regarding the use of tobacco for the first time was eight years and the age group with the greatest frequency of initiation into this habit was 11 to 14 years (44.3 %). A total of 84.3 % of tobacco users smoked between one and 10 cigarettes per day. Smoking was associated with delays in schooling (p=0.047), gender (p=0.016), alcohol use and frequency of alcohol use (p<0.001) and the relationship with one's father (p=0.014) and mother (p=0.004). Conclusions Despite the low prevalence, an early initiation into smoking was found, suggesting that educational campaigns should be directed at earlier ages. Alcohol use stood out among the variables studied, suggesting that smoking is influenced by both the use and intensity of this substance.

Objetivo El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la asociación entre el tabaquismo, los factores comportamentales y los factores ambientales entre adolescentes de escuelas públicas de Campina Grande- Paraíba. Métodos El estudio realizado fue de tipo transversal analítico, en el cual participaron 574 adolescentes, entrevistados por medio de un cuestionario estructurado que contenía preguntas relacionadas con factores comportamentales y ambientales y con el tabaquismo. Las pruebas estadísticas utilizadas fueron el Chi-Cuadrado y la prueba exacta de Fisher (5 % nivel de significancia). Resultados La prevalencia del tabaquismo fue de 3,3 %. La menor edad relacionada con el inicio del uso del cigarro fue de 8 años y el grupo de edad con la mayor frecuencia de inicio fue entre 11 y 14 años (44,3 %). Se estimó que 84,3 % de los fumadores consumía entre 1 a 10 cigarros por día. El tabaquismo fue asociado al fracaso escolar (p=0,047), al sexo (p=0,016), al consumo y frecuencia de uso de alcohol (p<0,001) y a la relación con el padre (p=0,014) y con la madre (p=0,004). Conclusiones A pesar de la baja prevalencia encontrada, se observó un inicio prematuro en el tabaquismo sugiriendo que las campañas educativas deben ser enfocadas en edades más tempranas. Entre las variables analizadas se destaca el uso de alcohol, lo que también sugiere que el tabaquismo puede ser influenciado tanto por el consumo, como por la intensidad del uso de esta sustancia.

Smoking, behavioral factors and familial environment: a population based study with Brazilian adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to assess the association between smoking and both behavioral and environmental factors among adolescents in the public school system in the city of Campina Grande (northeastern Brazil). METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out involving 574 schoolchildren between 10 and 19 years, with the use of a structured questionnaire addressing behavioral factors, environmental factors and smoking. The chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test were used for the statistical analysis (5 % level of significance). RESULTS: The prevalence of smoking was de 3.3 %. The lowest age regarding the use of tobacco for the first time was eight years and the age group with the greatest frequency of initiation into this habit was 11 to 14 years (44.3 %). A total of 84.3 % of tobacco users smoked between one and 10 cigarettes per day. Smoking was associated with delays in schooling (p=0.047), gender (p=0.016), alcohol use and frequency of alcohol use (p<0.001) and the relationship with one's father (p=0.014) and mother (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the low prevalence, an early initiation into smoking was found, suggesting that educational campaigns should be directed at earlier ages. Alcohol use stood out among the variables studied, suggesting that smoking is influenced by both the use and intensity of this substance.