Risk factors of tobacco use among Thai adolescents: finding from International Tobacco Control Policy Survey Southeast Asia (ICT-SEA).
OBJECTIVE
To determine the risk factors of tobacco use among Thai adolescents.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 706 adolescents sampled from 5 regions of Thailand using stratified multistage sampling. Participants were asked to complete self-administered questionnaires about tobacco use and psychosocial factors. A logistic regression model of risk factors for tobacco use was estimated using backward stepping.


RESULTS
The prevalence of smoking in Thai adolescent was 15 percent (27.8% in males, 2.3% in females). Older age (OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 1.02-1.51), number of close friend smoking (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.35-1.93), number of older sibling smoking (OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.01-2.04), heavy alcoholic consumption (OR = 3.99, 95% CI = 1.87-8.49), low self-worth (OR = 3.16, 95% CI = 1.71-5.84) were risk factors of smoking in Thai adolescents. Females (OR = 0.10, 95% CI = 0.04-0.24), currently studying in school (OR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.18-0.59) and religious beliefs guide actions (OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.22-0.77) were protective factors against smoking.


CONCLUSIONS
Male adolescents are target group for tobacco control in Thailand. The strong correlation between smoking and alcoholic consumption indicate that anti-smoking campaign should be done in parallel with anti-alcohol campaign.
Sirirassamee
Tawima
T
Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Srinakarinwirot University, Nakorn Nayok, Thailand.
Sirirassamee
Buppha
B
Jampaklay
Aree
A
Borland
Ron
R
Fong
Geoffrey T
GT
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D001210:Asia, Southeastern / Q000453:epidemiology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D038622:Internationality; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology*; D055815:Young Adult; D014026:Nicotiana