title: CIGARETTE SMOKING AMONG 17-18 YEAR OLD ADOLESCENTS - PREVALENCE AND ASSOCIATION WITH SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC, FAMILIAL, SPORT, AND SCHOLASTIC. FACTORS.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Though adolescence is recognised as a critical period for smoking prevention, there is a lack of research focused on this issue in Kosovo. The aim of this study has been to examine the gender-specific factors of influence (predictors) for smoking among adolescents in Pristina, Kosovo.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study sample comprised 1002 adolescents at the age of 17-18 (366 boys, 636 girls), all of whom were in the school's 12th grade. The predictors included sociodemographic variables, familial (i.e.,parental) monitoring, parents' educational background, and sport-related factors. The Chi2 and forward stepwise logistic regression analyses with a dichotomous criterion (smoking vs. non-smoking) were applied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of smoking was high (31% and 40% smokers, including 7% and 12% daily smokers for girls and boys, respectively). The regression model revealed more frequent absence from school(odds ratio (OR): 1.544; 95% confidence interval (Ci): 1.063-2.243), more unexcused school absences (OR: 1.360; 95% CI: 1.029-1.796), and frequent parental questioning (OR: 1.530; 95% CI: 1.020-2.295) to be significant predictors'of smoking among boys. For girls, a higher risk of smoking was associated with lower scholastic achievement (OR: 1.467; 95% CI: 1.089-1.977), more frequent absence from school (OR: 1.565; 95% CI: 1.137-2.155), increased conflict with parents (OR: 1.979; 95% CI: 1.405-2.789),and a self-declared perception of less parental care (OR: 0.602; 95% CI: 0.377-0.962). Sports were not found to be strongly related to smoking. However, a high riskof daily smoking was found among boys who participated in team sports and subsequently quit.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study reinforces the need for gender- and culture-specific approaches to studying the factors that influence smoking among adolescents.
authors: Kemal
authors: K
authors: Idrizovic
authors: Natasa
authors: N
authors: Zenic
authors: Enver
authors: E
authors: Tahirajl
authors: Nikola
authors: N
authors: Rausavljevic
authors: Damir
authors: D
authors: Sekulic
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D017522:Bosnia and Herzegovina / Q000453:epidemiology; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010379:Peer Group; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*