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Archives of Public Health
Published in: Archives of Public Health 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research

Prevalence and determinants of cigarette smoking among college students: a cross-sectional study in Douala, Cameroon

Authors: Bertrand Hugo Mbatchou Ngahane, Huguette Atangana Ekobo, Christopher Kuaban

Published in: Archives of Public Health | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Tobacco is the most important avoidable risk for non communicable diseases. While tobacco consumption is stable or declining in developed countries, it is increasing in the developing world with a rate of 3.4 % per annum. The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence and factors associated with cigarette smoking among college students.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2012 to April 2013 in secondary schools in Douala, Cameroon. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data, smoking behavior and peer smoking among college students. Logistic regression analyses was employed to identify factors associated with cigarette smoking.

Results

Of a total of 2623 students included, 1579 (60.2 %) were female. The mean age of participants was 19.2 ± 2.53 years. The prevalence of current smoking was 11.2 % [95 % confidence interval (CI) 10 – 12], with 20 % in males and 5.3 % in females. Cigarette smoking was with significantly associated with friends smoking [Odds ratio (OR) 6.66; 95 % CI 4.69 – 9.45)], male gender (OR 3.61; 95 % CI 2.52 – 5.16), increase in age (OR 1.10; 1.03 – 1.17), parental smoking 1.69 (1.04 – 2.76), and attending general education (OR 1.85; 1.23 – 2.78).

Conclusions

Cigarette smoking constitutes a significant health hazard in college students in Douala. Youth population and especially male students should be continuously targeted by preventive measures and sensitization campaigns against tobacco use. Parents should be aware on the influence of their smoking behavior on initiation of smoking in their children and should be encouraged to quit smoking.
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Metadata
Title
Prevalence and determinants of cigarette smoking among college students: a cross-sectional study in Douala, Cameroon
Authors
Bertrand Hugo Mbatchou Ngahane
Huguette Atangana Ekobo
Christopher Kuaban
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Archives of Public Health / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 2049-3258
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-015-0100-1

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