Prevalence Et Caracteristiques Du Tabagisme Parmi Les Enfants De Moins De Dix-Huit Ans a Kabinda, Rd. Congo

Abstract

Background: Smoking is a major public health issue, responsible of high morbidity and mortality. The proportion of tobacco use among teenagers and the early age of initiation to tobacco is a disturbing and unacceptable reality. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence and characteristics associated with smoking among minors aged eight to seventeen. Methods: We conducted a prospective and descriptive cross-sectional study over two weeks, from 18 to 31 May 2014 (Kabinda’s town, DR. Congo). Individuals were interviewed according to the study parameters. The data obtained were analyzed by the software Epi Info 7.1. Results: The smoking prevalence of minors in this study was 20.2% (304 out of 1,506). The profile of the minor smoker was an individual aged 12 to 17 years,the mean age of 14.3 ± 1.5 years, male (37.8% vs. 0.8%), illiterate or Secondary school, living in an incentive environment with low tobacco mobilization and growing pro-tobacco advertising. The age of the first smoking experie is was between 10 and 17 years with a peak at 15 years and a mean age of 14.1 ± 1 year. The age between 13 to 17 years (p<0.0001), male sex (p<0.0001), and being illiterate or in secondary school (p 0.000) were associated with the risk of smoking tobacco. Conclusion: It iy necessary to take measures to force the pressure of the tobacco epidemic (factors and context for tobacco use in children to avoid the harmful consequences of tobacco. Keywords: Children, Smoking, Tobacco, Kabinda, DRC