Tobacco use among working adolescents and high school students in Turkey: evaluating the effect of the national tobacco control policy.

BACKGROUND: In our previous published study conducted in 2006 before the national tobacco control program (NTCP), we found that working adolescents (WA) more frequently consumed cigarettes than high school students (HSS). The objective of the present study was to compare the smoking status of WA and HSS before and after the NTCP. METHODS: A questionnaire including questions about the participant`s socio-economic level and smoking status was administered. RESULTS: There were 668 subjects in the 2006 study and 869 subjects in the 2015 study. When we compared the 2015 results with the 2006 study, while there was a significant decline in the ever smokers (p < 0.001), there was no difference in current smokers in both the female and male WA groups. In the HSS group, there was a significant decline in ever smokers (p < 0.01), for both females and males. While there was a significant decline in current female smokers (p=0,002), no significant decrease was found in current male smokers (p > 0.05) in the HSS group. CONCLUSIONS: After the initiation of the NTCP, we have not seen a reduction in the smoking rates of both female and male WA and male HSS. The NTCP should particularly focus on the adolescent group in Turkey.

The prevalence and risk factors of asthma and allergic diseases among working adolescents.

Certain occupational groups are known to be at particularly high risk of developing allergic diseases. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of allergic diseases among working adolescents. The International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire was used. Four hundred and thirty six adolescents working in motor, lathe-finish, coiffure and textile and 366 high school students as control group were enrolled to the study. Mean age was 16.8 +/- 1.2 years and 82.9% of them were male. There was no significant difference among groups for ever and current wheezing while doctor diagnosed asthma was higher in lathe- finish group (p = 0.036). Family history of allergy, history of allergic rhinitis, and active smoking were found to be risk factors for asthma and related symptoms. Working in coiffure (p = 0.054), and textile (p = 0.003) were significant risk factors for ever allergic rhinitis. Working in lathe finish (p = 0.023), coiffure (p = .002), and textile (p < 0.001) were associated with a higher risk for current allergic rhinitis. Working in coiffure was a risk factor for ever eczema (p = 0.008) and doctor diagnosed eczema (p = 0.014). It was concluded that working in lathe-finish was associated with doctor diagnosed asthma and active smoking was a risk factor for asthma and related symptoms. Working in coiffure, textile and lathe- finish were risk factors for rhinitis, and working in coiffure was a risk factor for eczema. Preventive measures should be taken at the onset of employment in order to prevent or reduce the detrimental effects of exposures in these occupational groups.

Effect of occupation and smoking on respiratory symptoms in working children.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the respiratory symptoms and the lung function of children who work in different occupational groups. METHODS: The study was performed among children attending vocational training centers. The participants were evaluated in six different occupation groups. Chronic cough, wheezing and shortness of breath were evaluated by questionnaire. The association of independent variables with the respiratory symptoms was investigated through both univariate and multivariate methods. RESULTS: Among 642 children, 534 were males; the mean age was 17.7 +/- 1.0 years. Using an internal reference group, the odds ratios of chronic cough were significantly higher in the lathe (OR: 2.0, 95%CI: 1.07-3.74), coiffure (OR: 1.94. 95%CI: 1.01-3.70), and electricity-construction (OR: 2.63, 95%CI: 1.06-6.54) groups after adjustment for smoking, age, gender, and work characteristics. There were no significant differences in spirometric values between occupational groups in either smoking or non-smoking males. In non-smoking females, median values of FEV(1) (P: 0.046), PEF (P: 0.005) and FEF(25-75%) (P: 0.019) were lower in the textile compared to the coiffure group. There was no significant association between the total working time and spirometric values. There was no statistically significant relationship between the work-related factors and the smoking status. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of chronic cough was higher in the lathe, coiffure, and electricity-construction groups and pulmonary function tests were lower in the non-smoking textile female group. Working children should be screened for respiratory symptoms and disease.

Comparing the Smoking Status of Working Adolescents with Adolescents Enrolled in High School in Turkey.

Smoking is one of the most important public health problems. There is limited data about the smoking status of working adolescents. In this study we aimed to compare the smoking status of working adolescents with adolescents enrolled in high school in Turkey. Workers were recruited from a vocational training center, and control subjects were from a local high school. Questionnaires about socioeconomic status and smoking were applied. Eight hundred and two participants (436 workers) were included in the study. The mean age of the participants was 16.8 years. Smoking frequencies were 40% and 21% for the workers' group and the control group, respectively (P<0.001). Adolescent workers were more frequently exposed to second-hand smoke at home. Working [odds ratio (OR): 2.49, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.81-3.43], age over 17 (OR: 1.77, 95% CI: 1.28-2.44), and male sex (OR: 1.57, 95% CI: 1.00-2.44) were found to be significantly effective on smoking in the logistic regression analysis. Working adolescents had significantly higher smoking rates and exposed to second-hand smoke at home than high school students. Further studies are needed to explore the reasons of higher smoking rates in working adolescents than in high school students.