UICC World Cancer Congress 2006

Objective:To determine the predictors of tobacco use among secondary school students in Henan province, along with the specific aim of providing data for the design of the intervention programs.

Methods:2763 students (from grade 7 to 9) were studied. The questionnaire included 35 questions such as demographic, attitudinal/belief, behavioral variables. Descriptive analysis, factor analysis, Cronbach alpha reliability, correlation analysis, logistic regression analysis were used to estimate the risk factors associated with student smoking.

Results:Overall, 6.6% students were current smokers. 8.7% students reported having tried cigarette before. 42.1% of current smokers and 34.2% triers experimented smoking during age 10-12. Among the factors associated with students' tobacco use, mother and peers' smoking were the strongest independent predictors. School's negative attitude towards smoking was an important protective factor for preventing students' smoking behavior.

Conclusions: Effective smoking prevention interventions needed to be comprehensive. The prevention policy should be more targeted at learning refusal skills, associating tobacco use with negative images and overcoming peer pressure. Improving parents' and teachers' attitudes and beliefs about smoking, and forming non-smoking role models should be also given high priority. For schools, its positive influence and enforceable education should increase knowledge and the efficacy of smoking education programs in the young populations after class, and establish non-smoking environment combined with a strict stance against smoking. Meanwhile,smoking prevention interventions should be extended across the family and school into the community and joined the hand with local mass media and legislators.