Prevalence and factors influencing smoking amongst malay primary school children in Tumpat, Kelantan

• Published in: Southeast Asian journal of tropical medicine and public health Vol. 37; no. 1; pp. 230 - 235
• Main Authors: NORBANEE, T. H, NORHAYATI, M. N, NORSA'ADAH, B, NAING, N. N
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bangkok Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization, Regional Tropical Medicine and Public Health Network 2006; Central Coordinating Board, SEAMEO-TROPMED Project
• Subjects: Adolescent; Age Factors; Biological and medical sciences; Cross-Sectional Studies; Family - psychology; Female; General aspects; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Malaysia - epidemiology; Male; Medical sciences; Peer Group; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Sex Factors; Smoking - epidemiology; Smoking - psychology; Tobacco Smoke Pollution - adverse effects; Tobacco, tobacco smoking; Toxicology; Malaysia; Human; Tropical medicine; Prevalence; Primary school; Child; Tobacco smoking
• ISSN: 0125-1562

The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence, knowledge and factors that influence smoking in Malay primary school children in Tumpat, Kelantan. A cross-sectional study was conducted in February 2004 among primary school children in Tumpat District. Two hundred-twelve children in standard one to six were randomly selected from three rural schools. An interview that included information on history of ever smoking, knowledge related to smoking and health, and potential factors that could influence smoking was done. Twenty-five children had previously smoked, with a prevalence of 11.8% (95%CI=8.0, 17.0) and 8 were current smokers (3.8%, 95%CI=1.2, 6.4). More than half (64.6%) of the children had a good knowledge of smoking. However, only 105 (49.5%) of them knew that passive smokers have a higher risk of developing diseases. Of those who had ever smoked, 12 (36.6%) were influenced by peers and 17 (51.5%) had a self-desire to smoke. The earliest age to start smoking was at 6 years. Factors found to be significantly associated with smoking on multivariate analysis were increasing age (OR=2.8, 95%CI=1.6, 5.1), being boys (OR=5.8, 95%CI=2.0, 16.8), being at second school level (standard 4, 5, 6)(OR=7.8, 95%CI=1.3, 45.3) and having other family members (excluding father) who smoked (OR=2.8, 95%CI=1.2, 6.5). However, having a father who smoked and a good knowledge were not reported as influencing factors.