Relationship between Knowledge, Attitudes toward Cigarette Smoking Dangers and Cigarette Smoking among High School Students: A case study of Kho-Wang, Yasothorn

Abstract

Cigarette smoking increases risk of developing health problems, including cardiovascular diseases.  Half of the smoking population died during working age. The number of cigarette smokers among Thai population has decreased.  However, the number of young smokers aged between 15 to 24 has gradually increased. The trend will affect the future of the next generation. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between knowledge, attitude towards cigarette smoking dangers, and cigarette smoking among high school students in Khon-Wang, Yasothorn. The research tool included questionnaires. All participants were selected using a systematic random sampling method. In total there were 110 participants enrolled in the study. Univariable logistic regression was used to examine association between knowledge and attitudes toward cigarette smoking.

Results: The participants currently smoking cigarettes was 10 percent. Knowledge related to dangers of cigarette smoking was at a “good” level (92.7%). Regarding attitudes towards cigarette smoking, the finding revealed they had negative perception regarding cigarette smoking (74.5%). Logistic regression analysis revealed that there was no difference in the likelihood to smoke between students with good knowledge of smoking dangers and those with poor knowledge (OR = 0.76, 95%CI = 0.08 – 6.83).  Nevertheless, for those who have high levels of attitudes towards cigarette smoking significantly tended to smoke less compared to those with low levels of attitudes (OR = 0.22, 95%CI = 0.06 – 0.80).

Conclusion: There was no statistically significant correlation between knowledge of smoking dangers   and smoking habits of high school students. However, the attitudes towards the dangers of cigarette smoking could have an influence on the similar issue (4.5 times). Therefore, either the smoking prevention program or quit smoking program in school should emphasize the proper attitudes towards the dangers of cigarette smoking.