Linking Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC): the case for Brazil.
OBJECTIVE
The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) in Brazil was developed to provide data on youth tobacco use to the National Tobacco Control Program.


METHODS
The GYTS uses a standardized methodology for constructing sampling frames, selecting schools and classes, preparing questionnaires, carrying out field procedures, and processing data. The GYTS questionnaire is self-administered and includes questions about: initiation; prevalence; susceptibility; knowledge and attitudes; environmental tobacco smoke; cessation; media and advertising. SUDDAN and Epi-Info Software were used for analysis. Weighted analysis was used in order to obtain percentages and 95% confidence intervals.


RESULTS
Twenty-three studies were carried out between 2002 and 2005 in Brazilian capitals: 2002 (9); 2003 (4); 2004 (2) and 2005 (9). The total number of students was 22832. The prevalence rate among the cities varied from 6.2% (João Pessoa, 2002) to 17.7% (Porto Alegre, 2002).


CONCLUSIONS
The tobacco use prevalence rates in 18 Brazilian cities show significant heterogeneity among the macro regions. Data in this report can be used to evaluate the efforts already done and also as baseline for evaluation of new steps for tobacco control in Brazil regarding the goals of the WHO FCTC.
de Almeida
Liz Maria
LM
Coordenação de Prevenção e Vigilância, Instituto Nacional de Câncer, Rua dos Inválidos, 212, 3o. andar, 20231-048, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. lalmeida@inca.gov.br
Cavalcante
Tânia Maria
TM
Casado
Letícia
L
Fernandes
Elaine Masson
EM
Warren
Charles Wick
CW
Peruga
Armando
A
Jones
Nathan R
NR
Curi Hallal
Ana Luiza
AL
Asma
Samira
S
Lee
Juliette
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D017668:Age of Onset; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D014943:Global Health; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D015995:Prevalence; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology; D014944:World Health Organization