Prevalence and factors associated with smoking among Tunisian secondary school-adolescents

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:sec id="j_ijamh-2019-0088_abs_001_w2aab3b7b1b1b6b1aab1c13b2Aa"><jats:title>Objectives</jats:title><jats:p>This study aimed to estimate the extent of smoking experience among high and middle school adolescents in Southern Tunisia and to delineate its potential associated factors.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="j_ijamh-2019-0088_abs_002_w2aab3b7b1b1b6b1aab1c13b3Aa"><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>We conducted a cross-sectional study among middle and high school-adolescents in the governorate of Sfax, South of Tunisia in the 2017–2018 school-years. A questionnaire was anonymously administered to a representative sample of 1,210 school-adolescents randomly drawn.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="j_ijamh-2019-0088_abs_003_w2aab3b7b1b1b6b1aab1c13b4Aa"><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>The mean age of the school-adolescents was 15.6 ± 4.2 years. The prevalence of lifetime smoking was 16.7% (95% CI=[14.7–18.8%]) (boys 32.6%; girls 5.9%;p&lt;0.001). Among the respondents, 13.9% (95% CI=[11.9–15.8%]) were current smokers. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, independent associated factors of current smoking were male gender (Adjusted (AOR)=10.2; p&lt;0.001), 16–17 and 18–19-year age-groups (AOR=2; p=0.005 and AOR=2.6; p=0.001, respectively), below average academic performance (AOR=5.2; p=0.012), divorced parents (AOR=3.9; p=0.007), family monthly income ≥800 dollars (AOR=2.1; p=0.001), having a part time job (AOR=3.9; p&lt;0.001) and a perceived high stress level (AOR=1.98; p=0.008). Secondhand smoke (AOR=1.8; p=0.011) and concomitant alcohol drink (AOR=14.56; p&lt;0.001) were independent predictors of current smoking, while high education level of the father was independently associated with lower prevalence of current smoking (AOR=0.17; p&lt;0.001).</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec id="j_ijamh-2019-0088_abs_004_w2aab3b7b1b1b6b1aab1c13b5Aa"><jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title><jats:p>The prevalence of lifetime and current smoking were relatively high in Southern Tunisian middle and high schools. Multilevel influences on youth smoking behavior had been identified, which reflected the need to conceive appropriate school interventions and effective antismoking education program.</jats:p></jats:sec>

The burden of low back pain in children and adolescents with overweight and obesity: from pathophysiology to prevention and treatment strategies

“…Sex differences, along with the time of onset, may be related to the earlier age of puberty onset and growth spurt, and to the different distribution of adipose tissue and body composition. 17 Females are more likely to be overweight during adolescence, with a peripheral adipose tissue distribution, while abdominal visceral fat accumulation is more common among males. 18 According to a previous population-based prospective cohort study, overweight was associated with incident LBP rather than with persistent LBP in both sexes.…”

Impact of Musculoskeletal Pain on Health-Related Quality of Life Among Adults in Saudi Arabia

“…Following this, the neck exhibits a prevalence of 18%, while both the knees and shoulders demonstrate a comparable incidence of 17%. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Burden of Disease research, neck discomfort and other musculoskeletal illnesses were ranked 4th and 10th, respectively [8,9]. The prevalence of pain in the neck, lower back, shoulder, elbow, and wrist is higher among individuals aged 45-64, but pain in the hip, knee, ankle, and foot is more prevalent in older age cohorts [8].…”

“…According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Burden of Disease research, neck discomfort and other musculoskeletal illnesses were ranked 4th and 10th, respectively [8,9]. The prevalence of pain in the neck, lower back, shoulder, elbow, and wrist is higher among individuals aged 45-64, but pain in the hip, knee, ankle, and foot is more prevalent in older age cohorts [8]. Conversely, it has been found that osteoarthritis of the hip, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia exhibit the lowest levels of health-related quality of life (QoL).…”

Investigation of the causes of adolescent lumbar and shoulder-neck diseases and related mitigation approaches

“…And is closely related to poor mental state, vulnerable to psychological factors, living habits and other factors, may also be an important factor leading to adult cervical and lumbar diseases, continue to the work stage, so it is urgent to understand its potential risk factors and implement effective prevention and intervention measures. This study explored the influence and intervention strategies of adolescent patients with neck, shoulder and back pain [1].…”