Tobacco smoking among University of Namibia students: Behaviors, reasons, attitudes, awareness and knowledge of associated health risks
Loading...
Date
2013
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to establish tobacco smoking as a behavior, and to recommend measures to protect and discourage tobacco smoking among students at the University of Namibia. A cross sectional study was conducted among students at the University of Namibia, to assess the determinants of tobacco smoking and smoking as a behavior. Two mixed methods, namely, quantitative and qualitative design were used for gathering the data for this survey. A probability sampling method was used and a sample of 996 out of about 10,000 students registered at the University of Namibia for the academic year 2002 were selected. Demographical data, reasons, attitudes towards and the knowledge of health risk from tobacco smoking as the determinants of tobacco smoking (independent variables) and smoking of tobacco as a function thereof (dependent variable) were analyzed. The results indicated that 169 of the participants, which translates to 17% of the then student population at the University of Namibia aged 15-35 years smoked different types of tobacco such as cigarettes, cigar and, even the dagga. The results demonstrated a significant relationship between demographical data of gender and age and smoking. Male students smoked more than female students (OR 4:1). Furthermore, the results indicated that male and female students of age 15
-19 smoked tobacco the most (32% of 12% respectively). The need to cope with the life experiences and subjective norms to peer pressure were
some of the reasons for tobacco smoking among the students. In conclusion, the findings demonstrated a significant trend of tobacco smoking among the students at the University of Namibia. In that regards, a declaration of all university campuses as tobacco -free environment to protect
students from being exposed to the cues to tobacco smoking and
complemented with teaching health risks from tobacco smoking and the skills that are necessary to protect the students from being lured into the use of tobacco were recommendable.
Description
Keywords
Tobacco smoking, Attitudes, Health risks, Behaviours
Citation
Amakali, K., Haoses-Gorases, L., & Taukuheke, L. (2013). Tobacco smoking among University of Namibia students: Behaviors, reasons, attitudes, awareness and knowledge of associated health risks. Online Journal of Medicine and Medical Science Research, 2(3), 30-37.