Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2017 Apr 17;12(4):e0175640.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0175640. eCollection 2017.

Predictors of smoking among primary and secondary school students in Botswana

Bontle Mbongwe  1 , Roy Tapera  1 , Nthabiseng Phaladze  2 , Andrew Lord  3 , Nicola M Zetola  4
Affiliations

Predictors of smoking among primary and secondary school students in Botswana

Bontle Mbongwe et al. PLoS One. .

Abstract

This study seeks to determine the prevalence and risk factors for smoking among students aged 12-18 years in two cities in Botswana. Using a sample of 2554 students we adapted the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) methodology to assess students' smoking practices, knowledge, beliefs and attitudes. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate factors associated with smoking. The results revealed that 10% of students were current tobacco smokers with 29% reporting having tried smoking. Self-image and acceptance by peers were the strongest predictors of smoking overall (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR]: 3.13, 95%, Confidence Interval [CI]: 2.67-3.66). Intention to smoke or to continue to smoke and perceived norms in conformity with smoking were also independently associated with smoking (aOR: 1.81, 95% CI: 167-2.11 and aOR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.10-1.57, respectively). Perceived prevalence and exposure to smoking by peers and family and access to tobacco products was stronger among females (aOR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.52-1.91) compared to males (aOR: 0.93, 95% CI: 0.70-1.24). Our results indicate that anti-tobacco interventions in Botswana should prioritize intra-personal factors associated with smoking. Our findings also suggest that different interventions targeting male and female students should be explored.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: This research was commissioned by Good Business (London), a commercial company, as part of a social marketing programme designed to prevent teenage girls from taking up smoking in Botswana.There are no patents, products in development or marketed products to declare. This does not alter our adherence to all the PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.

References

    1. Fooks GJ, Gilmore AB. Corporate philanthropy, political influence, and health policy. PloS one. 2013;8(11):e80864 10.1371/journal.pone.0080864 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. World Health Organization; WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2013: enforcing bans on tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship: World Health Organization; 2013.
    1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cigarette smoking-attributable morbidity—United States, 2000. MMWR Morbidity and mortality weekly report. 2003;52(35):842 - PubMed
    1. McGinnis JM, Foege WH. Mortality and morbidity attributable to use of addictive substances in the United States. Proceedings of the Association of American Physicians. 1999;111(2):109–18. - PubMed
    1. Warren CW, Jones NR, Peruga A, Chauvin J, Baptiste J-P, Costa dSV, et al. Global youth tobacco surveillance, 2000–2007. Morbidity and mortality weekly report Surveillance summaries (Washington, DC: 2002). 2008;57(1):1–28. - PubMed