Adolescents' knowledge, attitudes and behaviour regarding passive smoking

Abstract

Literature on passive smoking is quite abundant especially where its health effects are concerned. The aim of this descriptive cross sectional survey was to explore adolescent's behaviours, knowledge and attitudes on passive smoking. Data, which was mostly quantitative in nature, was collected through questionnaires administered to 43 adolescents aged 13-14 years who attended 2 conveniently chosen secondary schools. All adolescents were randomly chosen from these 2 schools, obtaining a response rate of 86%. Most respondents thought passive smoking is harmful to their health and the health of others. They were also knowledgeable about the health effects of passive smoking. The majority of the participants -agreed with smoking bans in public places like schools, hospital and restaurants but fewer participants agreed with the smoking ban in public places like gyms and discos. The findings also showed that less than half of the participants were willing to stop others from smoking in their presence, while the majority reported avoiding going to a restaurant where a smoking area was present. Gender differences were noted in behaviours which avoided passive smoking and in the reasons given for such behaviours. A little more than one third of participants said that they were exposed to ETS produced by their parents and about one fourth of respondents said that their friends smoked in their presence. Local data on the study topic is minimal so this was a limitation when trying to compare the results of this study with local data. Some recommendations drawn from the findings point to the need for more education of the public regarding passive smoking and more quantitative as well as qualitative research on this subject matter. Conclusions and recommendations are given towards the end of this study.