The Global Youth Tobacco Survey in Seychelles - 2007

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_CA516521C0F5
Type
Report: a report published by a school or other institution, usually numbered within a series.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
The Global Youth Tobacco Survey in Seychelles - 2007
Author(s)
Viswanathan Bharathi, William Julita, Madeleine George, Warren Charles W., Bovet Pascal
Institution details
Ministry of Health and Social Development, Victoria, Seychelles
Address
Victoria, Seychelles
Issued date
2008
Language
english
Number of pages
22
Notes
OBJECTIVES: This survey describes behaviors, knowledge, beliefs, opinions and other variables related to tobacco use among students of secondary schools aged 13-15 years in Seychelles. METHODS: The survey was conducted in October 2007. A two-stage cluster sample design was used to produce a representative sample of all students in grades S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 from all public and private schools in Seychelles. Data were collected through a questionnaire self-administered to all participants on an anonymous and voluntary basis. The questionnaire was completed by 1508 (86%) of the 1754 eligible students. In this report, we considered only the 834 children (398 boys and 436 girls) aged 13-15 years, consistent with the methodology of GYTS. RESULTS: - 48.4% of students ever tried a cigarette (54% boys and 42% girls). In 2002, this figure was 50% (55% boys and 46% girls). - 22% of students smoked at least one cigarette on at least 1 day during the past 30 days (23.2% boys and 20.0% girls). In 2002, the prevalence was 27% (30% boys and 24% girls). - 19% of students who ever smoked had first tried a cigarette before the age of 10 (19% boys and 20% girls). This figure was 19% in 2002 (21% boys and 15% girls). - 73% of current smokers wanted to quit smoking (74% of boys and 74% girls). In 2002, this figure was 76% (79% boys and 72% girls). - 57% of students had been exposed to cigarette smoke in public places during the past 7 days (54% of boys and 60% of girls). In 2002, this figure was 60% (59% boys and 61% girls). - 84% of students saw or heard advertisements against tobacco during the past 30 days (80% of boys and 87% girls). In 2002, this figure was 90% (89% of boys and 91% of girls). - 69% of students saw advertisement for tobacco products during the past 30 days (69% boys and 68% girls). In 2002, this figure was 76% overall (75% boys and 78% girls). - 60% of students recalled of a discussion on dangers of smoking in class during the past 12 months with 58% boys and 62% girls. In 2002, this figure was 60% (61% boys and 60% girls). CONCLUSIONS: The survey in 2007 shows that as many as 22% of youth aged 13-15 years smoke at least one cigarette during the past month, however a slight improvement compared to 2002 (27%). The findings also show that a large number of smokers start early (before age 10), that the vast majority of smokers with to stop smoking, that a large proportion of children are exposed to second-hand smoke, and that 'only' 60% of children recall a health education class on tobacco during the pat 12 months. These findings emphasize the need to 1) tighten relevant policy and/or legislation (e.g. to protect non-smokers from environmental tobacco smoke); 2) strengthen school-based education programs to further raise awareness on tobacco and resistance skills among children, and ensure that such programs also target very young children, and 3) develop smoking cessation programs accessible to the youth for young smokers who wish to quit. School-based surveys should be conducted at regular time intervals to monitor tobacco use among students and assess the impact of tobacco control programs and policy.
Keywords
Adolescent, Adolescent Behavior, Students, Health Surveys, Smoking, Smoking/epidemiology, Smoking/prevention & control, Seychelles
Create date
18/03/2009 14:48
Last modification date
20/08/2019 16:45
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