Adolescents' smoking behaviors, beliefs on the risks of smoking, and exposure to ETS in Juárez, Mexico

Am J Health Behav. 2006 Jul-Aug;30(4):435-46. doi: 10.5555/ajhb.2006.30.4.435.

Abstract

Objective: To assess the smoking behaviors, beliefs about the risks of smoking, and exposure to ETS among adolescents in Juárez, Mexico.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with sixth-grade students (N=506), aged 11-13 years old, attending 6 randomly selected schools. Schools were classified by school setting and SES.

Results: Students attending a low SES school setting were more likely to have smoked (P < 0.01), be current smokers (P < 0.01), be exposed to ETS at home and in public (P < 0.01) than were students attending a middle or high SES school.

Conclusion: Smoking interventions should target students attending school in low SES settings.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior / psychology*
  • Catchment Area, Health
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Culture*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mexico / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • Smoking / epidemiology*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Students / statistics & numerical data
  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution / statistics & numerical data

Substances

  • Tobacco Smoke Pollution