title: Intention to Quit Smoking among Intermediate and Secondary School Students in Saudi Arabia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Smoking is one of the most preventable causes of disease and death, including cancer, and quitting at an early age can reduce smoking-related morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and to identify factors affecting the "intention to quit" among intermediate and secondary school current cigarette smoker students in Al Madinah city, Saudi Arabia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study cohort included 307 current smoker students in a school-based survey. The intention to quit and its related determinants were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  More than half of the participants were ≥17 years, and of male gender (54.7%, 77.9% respectively). An intention to quit smoking was reported in 71.7% of participants, and was been significantly associated with: male gender (OR=3.25, 95% CI=1.65-6.41): age at 1st trial of smoking. 10-15 years (OR=2.11, 95% CI=1.03-4.32) along with age of ≥15 years (OR=3.10, 95% CI=1.20-7.88); days of smoking in the past 30 days (days<10 (OR=2.31, 95% CI=1.23-4.35) along with days ranging from 10-19 days (OR= 3.42, 95% CI=1.18-9.91); knowing that smoking is hazardous to health (OR=3.04, 95% CI=1.42-6.47); and finally, supporting smoking bans in public places (OR=1.89, 95% CI=1.11-3.25).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A substantial number of participants were willing to quit smoking. Effective interventions focusing on providing information about the hazards of smoking and prohibiting smoking in public places could help initiate the intention to quit among youth smokers.
authors.affiliation: Family and Community Medicine Department, College of Medicine, Taibah University, Al Madinah Al Monawarah, Saudi Arabia E-mail : ayat_dr2003@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Abdulmohsen Hamdan
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Al-Zalabani
authors.forename: Ayat Roushdy
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Abdallah
authors.forename: Reem Ibrahim
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Alqabshawi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data