Using the Global-School-Based Student Health Survey to identify correlates of smoking in Chilean youth

Type Journal Article - International Electronic Journal of Health Education
Title Using the Global-School-Based Student Health Survey to identify correlates of smoking in Chilean youth
Author(s)
Volume 12
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2009
URL http://go.galegroup.com/ps/anonymous?id=GALE|A331688292&sid=googleScholar&v=2.1&it=r&linkaccess=full​text&issn=15291944&p=AONE&sw=w&authCount=1&isAnonymousEntry=true
Abstract
Despite the fact that Chilean youth have the highest smoking prevalence in Latin America and among the highest adolescent smoking rates in the world, little research has investigated correlates of youth smokers in Chile. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify correlates of current smoking among Chilean adolescents. The sample consisted of 8131 students in grades 7[degrees]primary, 8[degrees]primary, and 1[degrees] secondary (basically ages 13-15) representing four of Chile's regions who completed the Global School-Based Student Survey (GSHS). Logistic regression showed that the strongest predictors of smoking were involvement in health-risk behaviors. Smokers were likely to get drunk, use drugs, have sexual intercourse, and get into physical fights. They were also likely to miss school without permission. Other significant predictors were gender, grade level, parental tobacco use, parents' awareness of free time, feelings of sadness/hopelessness, and participation in physical activity. The results indicate the need for more intense and varied smoking prevention efforts in Chile including parent-based interventions, taking into account psychosocial distress, and addressing the range of risky behaviors that co-occur with engagement in smoking behavior. Key words: Adolescents, Smoking, Adolescent Behavior, Health Promotion.

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