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Title Tobacco Smoking Among University of Namibia Students: Behaviors, Reasons, Attitudes, Awareness & Knowledge of Associated Health Risks
Full text http://hdl.handle.net/1995/285
Date 2006
Author(s) Amakali, Kristofina; Haoses, Lischen; Itembu, Letha
Abstract BACKGROUND Worldwide four (4) million people die every year from health problems incurred by tobacco smoking. This number will rise to ten (10) million by the year 2030. By the year 2020, seventy percent of all deaths from tobacco will occur in developing countries including Namibia (NBC NEWS: 2000). Results of a study undertaken by the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) and the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) in 1992, indicates that in Namibia children start smoking from the age of nine (9) and that roughly 16% of all children in Namibia smoke cigarette, while up to 50% of the youths and 40% of adults use tobacco. The purpose of the study was to establish tobacco smoking as a behavior, and to discourage tobacco smoking among students at the University of Namibia. The specific objectives were to describe the students' behaviors, attitude towards tobacco smoking, investigate and explain the reasons for tobacco smoking, identify types of tobacco used by students and to assess students' awareness and knowledge of health risks from tobacco use. METHODOLOGY A quantitative and qualitative approaches were used for gathering data for this survey. The survey was conducted among a sample of 1000 students registered at the University of Namibia (UNAM) for the academic year 2002, to explore/describe the behaviors, attitudes and reasons for tobacco smoking among students at UNAM and to identify students' awareness and knowledge of health risks/diseases from tobacco smoking/use in order to promote a smoking free environment. Random sampling method was applied to allow everyone to have a chance to partake. The survey included biographical data, behaviors, reasons, attitudes towards and awareness and knowledge of health risk/diseases from tobacco smoking/use as determinants of tobacco smoking (independent variables) and the tobacco smoking/use as a function thereof (dependent variable). RESULTS The results indicated that 17% of the student population at UNAM aged 15-35 years smoke tobacco of different types such as cigarettes and cigar. There were also few cases of dagga smoking. Results demonstrate a significant relationship between biographical data such as gender and age and smoking. Male students smoke more than female students (OR 4:1). Males constitute 74%, while female constitutes 26% of all smokers on campus. Furthermore, the results indicate that male and female students of age 15-19 smoke tobacco the most (32% of 12% respectively). The results therefore reveal early onset of tobacco smoking during secondary school period and earlier. Among others, results suggest a need to cope with life experiences and subjective norms to peer pressure as some of the reasons for tobacco smoking among students at UNAM. The results also revealed that few students know of different health risks which can result from tobacco smoking. CONCLUSIONS Despite a demonstration of knowledge of health risks/diseases from tobacco smoking, the results indicate that students smoke tobacco and those who attempt to quit smoking could not successful quit the behavior, seeing that this takes time. Researchers therefore recommend the establishment of a tobacco free environment to protect students from being exposed to cues to tobacco smoking and from being exposed to passive smoking, as well as to teach students the knowledge of health risks from tobacco smoking and skills that are necessary to protect them from being lured into tobacco use. - World Health Organization
Subject(s) Tobacco; Attitudes; Beliefs; Behaviour; University of Namibia; Students
Language en
Type of publication Article
Format 900096 bytes; application/msword
Repository Windhoek - University of Namibia
Added to C-A: 2008-12-22;02:12:57