Prevalence of smoking among high school students

OBJECTIVE: Smoking is the single and most important preventable cause of morbidity and morality worldwide. This study was carried out to ascertain the prevalence of smoking among high school students in Alkharj and the influencing factors for smoking.

METHODS: This study was carried out by means of a Questionnaire. The study was conducted by the Department of Family and Community Medicine in Al-Kharj Military Hospital, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The participants were students of age 15 years and above in randomly selected Alkharj high schools.

RESULTS: Out of 819 correspondence 166 (20%) were current smokers, 134 (16%) were ex-smokers. Five hundred and nineteen (64%) were non-smokers. The average starting age for current smokers was 13.8 years (13years-15 years). 105 (63%) of current smokers smoked less than 10 cigarettes per day (light smokers). the influence of friends 96 (58%) and the presence of smoking in the family 53 (32%) were the 2 most important factors influencing the rate of smoking in current smokers. Ninety-five percent of smokers know that smoking is harmful and 60% know that smoking is harmful for others. One hundred and one (61%) of current smokers, have tried to quit smoking but failed.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of smoking is high among school students in Alkharj. Most current smokers know the harmful effects of smoking. A collaborative effort is needed by all concerned to reduce the number of school students who smoke.