Factors associated with tobacco use among male adolescents in Magway Township, Myanmar

Abstract

A community based cross-sectional study was carried out in Magway Township, Myanmar to examine
factors influencing tobacco use among male adolescents aged 18-24 years. In March, 2012, 275 male
adolescents were recruited in this study and the data were collected by using structured questionnaires.
Chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression were used to examine factors associated with tobacco use.
The results showed that the prevalence of tobacco use was 49%. Among the users, 94.1% were smokeless
tobacco users and 65.4% were smokers and 65.4% were dual users. The median age of the respondents was
20 years and the majority were 18-20 years. Only 1.1% had good knowledge concerning risk of tobacco
use. Father education, father smoking habit, presence of friends using tobacco, receiving tobacco advertise-ments from company and media and parental monitoring were significant predictors of tobacco use among
male adolescents. Male adolescents who have friends using tobacco were 9 times more likely to use tobacco
while adjusting the other factors.
The study conducted that tobacco use among male adolescents shows no sign of decreasing. Interventions
such as health promotion training for the adolescents together with their friends about the harmful effect
of tobacco use should be promoted at the school level. Advertising campaigns against tobacco use are also
needed to be strengthened to promote behavioral change within the specific age group and gender.