Abstract

PITARQUE, Raúl et al. Tabaquismo en adolescentes escolarizados de la ciudad de Olavarría, Buenos Aires: Prevalencia y factores asociados. Arch. argent. pediatr. [online]. 2007, vol.105, n.2, pp.115-121. ISSN 0325-0075.

Introduction. The adverse effects of smoking on health are well known, but, despite this, millions of people continue smoking. In truth, smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke -a phenomenon known as passive or second-hand smoking- constitute one of the greatest preventable causes of morbidity and mortality. Experimentation with tobacco begins during the first few years of adolescence. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of smoking among adolescents from Olavarría city -between 11 and 15 years of age- and also to investigate the risk factors which make them smokers. Population, material and methods. Seven hundred and sixty three youths were studied. A structured questionnaire was filled out by the students themselves in anonymity. Variables included: age, sex, smoking initiation, smoking habits among friends, parents and siblings, description of occasions when smoking occurs, beliefs about cigarettes, educational achievement, the level of information received at school on health and tobacco and use of communication media. Life prevalence and life prevalence during last month were calculated. Results. Life prevalence was 0.27 and life prevalence during last month was 0.10. The greater the age the higher the prevalence. Peer pressure (OR= 10.1 CI 95% 5.1-19.0) and the existence of smokers within the family circle (father, mother, sibling) (OR= 2.1 CI 95% 1.1-5.3) were statistically significant factors. Conclusion. The study contributes to the epidemiologic knowledge of tobacco in pediatrics.

Keywords : Tobacco; Youth prevalence; Risk factors.

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