Cigarette smoking and alcohol intake among high school learners in Pretoria, South Africa

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Kebogile Mokwena, Phumzile Sindane

Abstract

Alcohol use and cigarette smoking among in-school youth remain a major public health problem globally. However, data on the prevalence of the use of these substances and associated factors are limited in sub Saharan Africa, including South Africa. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, as well as associated factors, among high school learners in a township in Pretoria, South Africa. A cross sectional survey was used to collect data from a sample of 1087 high school learners attending high schools in a Pretoria township, South Africa. STATA version 13 was used to analyse the data. The sample consisted of 52% females (and 48% males (n=518). The prevalence of cigarette smoking and drinking of alcohol was 9% and 28% respectively. The mean age of initiation for cigarette smoking and drinking of alcohol was 14 years (SD= 2.1 years) and 15 years (SD=1.9 years) respectively. Being male was associated with both cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption. Boys were 2.3 times more likely to smoke cigarettes than girls and they were 1.4 times more likely to consume alcohol than girls. Personal choice and parental guidance were the most stated reasons for abstinence for both cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption.

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