Smoking habits and factors that influence them among school students from rural areas of Romania.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of the study was to evaluate smoking habits and the factors influencing them among school students in rural areas of Romania.

METHODS

The study sample included 748 school students aged 13-14 years from twenty-four schools from rural areas situated in two counties of Romania. The cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 among participating students using confidential questionnaires to assess smoking-related behaviors and the factors that influence them.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed that 15.9 % of the sample were current smokers (no statistically significant differences were noticed between boys and girls). Smoking prevalence was higher among students without household goods such as a phone or a computer, compared to those who owned them (28.4% vs 13.8%, p<0.001, and 25.2% vs 14%, p<0.01, respectively). Students with lower school results also had higher smoking rates than those with better results (21.1% vs 8.1%, p<0.001). Adolescents who consumed alcohol monthly had higher smoking prevalence compared to those who did not (41.2% vs 13.4%, p<0.001). Engaging in fights monthly (34.6% vs 15%, p<0.001), vandalism (44.1% vs 14.3%, p<0.001), and stealing monthly (50% vs 15.2%, p<0.01) were also linked to higher smoking prevalence compared to not having these behaviors. Spending most spare time in bars/discos was associated with higher smoking prevalence (60% vs 14.9%, p<0.001). Practicing sports was correlated with lower smoking prevalence than not practicing sports (12.7% vs 16.4%, p<0.05). Smokers were more likely to perceive the benefits of smoking, whereas non-smokers were significantly more convinced about several disadvantages of smoking. Additionally, the study found an increased perceived behavior and pressure to smoke from parents, siblings, friends, best friends, and peers in the same school year among smokers. Smokers had lower self-efficacy to refrain from smoking in different situations. Intention to smoke in the next year was higher among smokers.

CONCLUSIONS

The results have implications for the development of health promotion activities for smoking prevention among Romanian adolescents from rural areas.