Prevalence and correlates of current tobacco use and non-user susceptibility to using tobacco products among school-going adolescents in 22 African countries: a secondary analysis of the 2013-2018 global youth tobacco surveys

Abstract

Background Our study examined the prevalence and associated factors of tobacco product use and non-users’ susceptibility to using tobacco products among school-going adolescents in 22 African countries. Methods We analyzed the cross-sectional 2013-2018 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) data from 22 African countries. We conducted complex sampling descriptive and logistic regression analyses. Results The overall prevalence of current use of any tobacco product among adolescents was 19.1%, with more males (23.7%) than females (13.7%) being current users. Zimbabwe and Morocco were the highest (47.1%) and least (12.6%) reported prevalence, respectively. Being male (AOR = 1.93;95%CI:1.61-2.32), being 16 and older(AOR = 1.37;95%CI:1.01-1.86), exposure to secondhand smoke within (AOR = 1.98;95%CI:1.69-2.32) and outside (AOR = 1.37;95%CI:1.13-1.65) the home, not knowledgeable about the harmful effect of secondhand smoke (AOR = 1.44;95%CI:1.20-1.74), exposure to tobacco industry promotion (AOR = 3.05;95%CI:2.68-3.47) and not in favour of banning smoking in enclosed places (AOR = 1.32;95%CI:1.08-1.60) were associated with current use of any tobacco product. The prevalence of the susceptibility to using tobacco products among never users of tobacco products was 12.2%, with no significant gender difference. Mozambique (24.6%) and Algeria (4.5%) had the highest and least prevalence of susceptibility to using tobacco products among never users, respectively. Exposure to tobacco industry promotion (AOR = 1.54;95%CI:1.31-1.82), those not in favour of banning smoking in enclosed places (AOR = 1.29;95%CI:1.14-1.45) and those not exposed to anti-smoking school education (AOR = 1.24;95%CI:1.06-1.46) were associated with susceptibility to using any tobacco product among never users of tobacco products. Conclusion Our study reports that tobacco use and non-user susceptibility to using tobacco products among school-going adolescents in the 22 African countries is high. As part of public health efforts, governments and other stakeholders need to fully implement anti-tobacco use campaigns, enforce a complete ban on tobacco promotion and advertising, institute educational programs for families, and anti-tobacco use education for the general public and in schools in line with WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control guidelines.

Differences in risk indicators associated with electronic cigarette use and tobacco smoking among adolescents and young people in Nigeria

“…The proportion of young people who use e-cigarette in this study is higher than the 7.9% e-cigarette users8 reported in a prior study conducted in Nigeria, and the 9.2% current e-cigarette use among youths in a multicountry study 39. Also, the proportion to those smoking tobacco is higher than the 10.4% current tobacco smokers reported in a prior study conducted in Nigeria9 and the 19.1% among youths in Africa 40. Our study collected data for those with a history of e-cigarette use while the comparative data were those of current e-cigarette use.…”

“…39 Also, the proportion to those smoking tobacco is higher than the 10.4% current tobacco smokers reported in a prior study conducted in Nigeria 9 and the 19.1% among youths in Africa. 40 Our study collected data for those with a history of e-cigarette use while the comparative data were those of current e-cigarette use. Nevertheless, the results of this study may indicate a growing prevalence of e-cigarette use and tobacco smoking among the study population of adolescents and young people in Nigeria.…”

Smokeless tobacco consumption and its association with tobacco control factors in the Western Pacific Region: results from the Global Youth Tobacco Survey 2015-2019

“…( 26 Conducive home environment in which parents smoke promotes smoking, and other tobacco as well as ST is consistent with GYTS report from Africa. (29) Association between exposure to tobacco advertisements and being offered a ST product, information about ST products and dual usage among youths (12,30) is also consistent with literature. Lack of association between exposure to anti-tobacco messages in mass media and events and being taught about the dangers of smoking, the exposure of tobacco imagery is consistent with GYTS based report from four countries in SEA.…”

The Aftermath of Long-Term Cigarette Smoking on Telomere Length and Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number in Human Cumulus Cells Prior to In Vitro Fertilization—A Pilot Study

“…Cigarette smoking has become throughout the years a widespread and prevalent habit, constituting a considerable public health issue worldwide and representing the primary cause of millions of deaths in the past few decades alone [ 1 ]. In addition, it is a known risk factor of multiple pathologies, such as cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic diseases and premature death [ 2 ], but also reproductive-related diseases [ 3 ].…”