Adolescents' Smoking Status and Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Education in Chonan Area

Cheong, Yoo Seock

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In spite of worldwide recognition of the hazardous effects of smoking, the adolescent smoking rate in Korea continues to increase. This study was performed to determine the smoking statistics for the Chonan area, and to evaluate the effectiveness of mass smoking cessation education based on Prochaska's trans-theoretical model in adolescents.
METHODS
To obtain the smoking statistics, an on-site questionnaire survey was performed on 7,373 students from 5 middle and 6 high schools in the Chonan area from May to July, 2001. A logistic regression analysis was done on the variables in order to determine the factors related to smoking. Immediately after completing smoking cessation education, the second questionnaire, which included questions on the effectiveness and satisfaction of the education, was conducted in one high school.
RESULTS
The smoking rates were 18.0% in males, 8.8% in females; 4.3% in middle school students, and 21.1% in high school students. The smoking rate in vocational high schools (30.7%) was higher than in general high schools (11.9%)(P<0.001). Multiple logistic regression analyses indicated that the smoking rate increased in males (OR= 2.28), father's smoking status (OR=1.55), mother's smoking status (OR=2.98), and sibling's smoking status (OR=3.57). Approximately 47% of smokers answered that "curiosity" was their most important motivational factor; 29.1% of smokers started smoking in second grade of middle school. The pre-education survey on the trans-theoretical stage of smoking cessation revealed that 38.1% fell into pre-contemplation stage, 36.8% into contemplation stage, and 25.1% into preparation stage. The post-education survey showed remarkable change to 20.8% of pre-contemplations stage, 47.6% of contemplation stage, and 31.6% of preparation stage.
CONCLUSION
The mass smoking cessation education run by doctors did have an impact on the motivational stage of smoking cessation. Therefore, to improve adolescents' health, an active non-smoking campaign and education should be continued in various ways.