The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: to study the prevalence and factors associated with use of tobacco among adolescents in Karachi

Methods: Four hundred and twenty (420) subjects were selected using random cluster sampling. Altogether three hundred and three (303) participants completed questionnaire, which were asked about socio-demographic, knowledge, attitude and perceptions regarding tobacco use

Results: A total of 53 (53/303 = 17.5%) of all adolescents reported using tobacco (all forms inclusive) in last two weeks. 16 (16/303 = 5.7%) adolescents reported that they smoked cigarette, and 18.1 % chewed tobacco. The most common form in chewable tobacco was gutka or main puri (13%), followed by pan with tobacco (4.3%), and naswar (1.0%). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age the following factors were independently associated with smoking; those subjects who had pocket money (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.2 – 6.3); use of tobacco by any family member (OR = 8.8, 95% CI = 3.2 – 24.4); having knowledge that tobacco products are addictive (OR = 3.4, 95% CI = 1.6 – 7.4) and member of any organization (OR = 2.3, 95% CI = 0.8 – 6.5). Feasibility of conducting this study revealed a very good response from different sectors of community; we succeeded in getting collaboration of diverse stake holders.