Prevalence and determinants of tobacco use among young people in the Gambia

Jallow, Isatou K.; Britton, John; Langley, Tessa

Abstract

Introduction: Tobacco consumption, and consequent morbidity and mortality, are expected to grow most markedly over coming decades in low and middle income countries (LMICs). Preventing tobacco experimentation and uptake among young people in LMICs is therefore vital. However, data on smoking in these countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa, remain sparse.

Method: We used two-stage cluster random sampling to select students in upper and senior secondary schools throughout The Gambia, and a self-administered questionnaire to collect data on their tobacco use, risk factors, and demographic details.

Results: Of 10,392 eligible students, 10,289 (99%; 55% girls and 44% boys, age 12-20 years) participated. The prevalence of ever smoking cigarettes, cigars or pipes was 16.7% (25.7% boys and 9.4% girls) and current (past 30 days) smoking 4.5% (7.9% boys and 1.5% girls). Smoking was more common among students attending private schools (OR1.69, 95% CI 1.29-2.22), of Christian) or other faiths compared to Muslims, living with parents (OR1.39, 95% CI 1.06-1.81), who had smoking allowed in their homes (OR1.67, 95% CI 1.30-2.13), with family members who smoked or had one or more friends who smoked. Most (55.6%) smokers want to stop, but only 22% received any stop smoking support. Ever smoking of shisha, at 8.1%, was unexpectedly high, and relatively prevalent among girls (11.4% of boys and 5.4% of girls).

Conclusions: Tobacco use is common among young people in the Gambia. Shisha smoking is also common in this population, and in relative terms especially among girls. Further work is required to determine whether this is a problem local to The Gambia, or reflects a wider pattern of tobacco use in sub-Saharan Africa.

Citation

Jallow, I. K., Britton, J., & Langley, T. (2017). Prevalence and determinants of tobacco use among young people in the Gambia. BMJ Global Health, 2(4), Article e000482. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2017-000482

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 1, 2017
• Publication Date: Dec 28, 2017
• Deposit Date: Nov 3, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Dec 28, 2017
• Journal: BMJ Global Health
• Electronic ISSN: 2059-7908
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2
• Issue: 4
• Article Number: e000482
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjgh-2017-000482
• Keywords: Smoking; Tobacco use; Shisha; Young people; Gambia
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/901838
• Publisher URL: http://gh.bmj.com/content/2/4/e000482