Author of

• 11943

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  P2.23 - Poster Session 2 - Tobacco Control, Prevention and Chemoprevention (ID 163)

  • Event: WCLC 2013
  • Type: Poster Session
  • Track: Prevention & Epidemiology
  • Presentations: 1
  • Moderators:
  • Coordinates: 10/29/2013, 09:30 - 16:30, Exhibit Hall, Ground Level

  • 11944

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    P2.23-001 - Does dissatisfaction with body image in adolescents a determinant of smoking behavior? (ID 770)

    09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): C. Afonso
    • Abstract

    Background
    Smoking appears to start at ever earlier ages, occurring in the great majority of adolescents between 13 and 15 years old. It is often associated with body image dissatisfaction and eating behaviors disorders. Objective: Assess tobacco consumption and its influence on body image dissatisfaction among high school Portuguese students, aged 15 and 19 years old.

    Methods
    Based on all students attending 3 high schools from the northern Portugal, the sample was randomly selected and 100 students were recruited from each high school. The adolescents smoking behavior was evaluated according to a protocol adapted from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2001) and body image dissatisfaction was also assessed.

    Results
    The mean age of the total sample (n=285) was 16.6 ± 1.2 years (min = 15, max = 19) and 46% were male. More than half (55.8%) were dissatisfied with their body image and had already started smoking (59.6%), with greater incidence among girls (54%). More than a half of these students who have tried smoking referred that it had happened between 12 and 15 years old. In all the three schools, 41.1% of adolescents think that smoking leads to weight loss (EA = 40.4%; EB = 41.7%, EC = 41.2%). There was not found any association between body image dissatisfaction and onset of tobacco use (p=0.388), although a stronger association was seen between the wish to be thinner and the fact that they had tried smoking.

    Conclusion
    Tobacco consumption is increasingly associated with diet behaviors and body image dissatisfaction among adolescents, particularly in girls. Such behavior points to the need for an early, clarifying and effective educational intervention.

• 12848

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  P3.23 - Poster Session 3 - Tobacco Control, Prevention and Chemoprevention (ID 164)

  • Event: WCLC 2013
  • Type: Poster Session
  • Track: Prevention & Epidemiology
  • Presentations: 1
  • Moderators:
  • Coordinates: 10/30/2013, 09:30 - 16:30, Exhibit Hall, Ground Level

  • 12850

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    P3.23-002 - Assessment of smoking among high school students from northern Portugal (ID 772)

    09:30 - 09:30  |  Author(s): C. Afonso
    • Abstract

    Background
    According to the World Health Organization, tobacco use is a major cause of illness and death worldwide, especially lung cancer. Currently in Portugal, tobacco use among young people has increased. It has been observed that adolescents’ smokers have a high probability of becoming adult smokers. Objective: To assess tobacco use in high school students and the associated social and family factors.

    Methods
    Based on all students aged between 15 and 19 years old, 100 adolescents were recruited from each of three high schools. The smoking habits of adolescents were evaluated according to a protocol adapted from the Global Youth Survey (GYTS), Center of Disease Control and Prevention (2001). The questionnaire consisted of 34 questions related to tobacco use, knowledge and attitudes towards smoking, smoking cessation, school regulation and the family role in preventing smoking. Participants were classified as: 1 - never having tried smoking; 2 - have just tried smoking (not smoked in the previous month); 3 - occasional smokers (smoked at least 1 day during the previous month); 4 - current smokers (smoked at least 20 days in the previous month). The protocol was approved by the School Direction and statistical analysis was performed with SPSS ® for the entire sample and by gender.

    Results
    Of the total sample (n=285), 46% were males and 54% females whose average age was 16.6 ± 1.2 years (min:15; max:19). About 59.6% of adolescents have experienced smoking at least once, 54% of who were female. Although the average age of tobacco onset was between 12-15 years (64%), we found that 21% of subjects experienced smoking before 11 years of age. Over 90% admitted smoking with friends and public spaces were the place preferred (38%) followed by social events (21%). Regarding the harmful effects of tobacco on health, school revealed a reducer role as a trainer, since 51.6% of adolescents admitted that the issue of smoking was never raised during the present school year. There is a statistically significant association regarding the initiation of smoking and parents educational level (mother: p=0.001; father: p=0.05). The same occurred when the mother is a smoker (p = 0.002).

    Conclusion
    There is an early initiation of smoking in this population and a high percentage of adolescents do it regularly. We emphasize the enormous importance of an effective intervention strategy in relation to the harmful effects of tobacco, with strong involvement of the school and family, in order to reduce tobacco consumption and prevent its health consequences with regard to morbidity and mortality.