KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE, BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OF SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN IBADAN MUNICIPALITY ON CIGARETTE SMOKING: IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH EDUCATION

Abstract

This is a descriptive study of 1,222 secondary school students from randomly selected schools in Ibadan Municipality in Oyo State, Nigeria, on variables that contribute to the prevalence of cigarette smoking. A pretested questionnaire was used to gather information. The smoking status of subjects has been presented in four categories namely non-smokers, experimental, regular and ex-smokers. Results revealed that 15.3% of the students, (13.3% experimental smokers, 1.1% regular smokers and 0.9% ex-smokers) have at least smoked a cigarette before. The prevalence rate was 15.4% (20.3% male and 7.7% female) was established. Results also showed significant associations between the smoking status of the subjects and their sex, religion, paternal education, type of school attended (single sex or co-educational), smoking status of their parents (mother, father), friend(s), siblings (elder brother, elder sister) and their teachers. The Average score of the subjects, on the knowledge of dangers of cigarette smoking was 44.0%. Significant associations were also found between the knowledge of students on the dangers of cigarette smoking and the type of school attended (single sex or co-educational) as well as the knowledge and their smoking status (non-smokers, experimental smokers, regular smokers and ex-smokers). There was however no significant association between the smoking status of the subjects and their class, maternal education and parental occupation (mother, father). There was also no significant association between the sex of students and knowledge of dangers of cigarette smoking. The findings suggest a multi-sectoral approach as the effective method for smoking control among secondary school students in Ibadan metropolis.