Predictors of Smoking among Students in Public and Private Secondary Schools

Abstract

Smoking Cessation is an intervention to reduce tobacco-related mortality in the short and medium-term and therefore should be part of an overall comprehensive program on tobacco-control policy of any country. This study primarily aimed to find out the underlying factors on the prevalence of smoking among students in public and private schools in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. This study utilized the survey correlation method with a standardized survey instrument from the Department of Health. Cluster sampling was used in the selection of 12 secondary schools in Cagayan de Oro City. Data analysis employed both descriptive and inferential statistics. The general findings revealed that smoking is prevalent in any form of environment and may have a big influence on students or other people to smoke. The overall predictor variables such as peer influence, cool factor, coping with problems, media influences, and family member who smoke including age and gender contributed significantly to the smoking pattern of students. As to smoking cessation, girls tended to stop smoking easily than boys and claimed that to stop smoking brings health benefits to the body. Generally, the school premises have “No Smoking” policy, but the students support the banning of smoking in schools and other public places. Keywords - Health Education, smoking, descriptive-correlation method, Philippines