Knowledge, Perceptions, and Intentions of Male Student Smokers in Secondary Schools Toward Quitting Cigarette Smoking in Khartoum locality 2009

Abstract

In the Sudan the overall prevalence of smoking among adolescents was 4.9%, and more males compared to females reported to smoke. Study design: This study was a descriptive cross-sectional design conducted among secondary schools male students in Khartoum locality. The study aimed at identifying the male smoker student's knowledge, perceptions, and their intentions about quitting cigarettes smoking in the foreseeable future. Study population: Consist of the male students of secondary schools in Khartoum locality. The total numbers of secondary school students in the locality were (15084), (8210) of them male students. Determination of sample size: The sample size was determined using the following formula: Accordingly a sample size of 245 was obtained out of total (8210) male student in Khartoum locality. Of the total 245 students186 smoker students were selected using two-stage sampling technique. 11 schools were selected out of 23 secondary schools using the simple random sample. The sample was distributed to schools using the proportional allocation. Data collection, analysis, and depiction methods: The data were collected through the distribution of questionnaires among the male smokers of secondary school students, and were analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) and the relationship between different variables was determined using Chi-square test. Data were depicted in tables and histograms. The main outcomes of the study reached: More than half of students under study (52%) believed that the effects of second hand smoke were limited in pneumonia, irritability, and cough. Half of students (50%) confirmed that they will smoke in the next twelve months. Half of students (50%) had intended to quit smoking in the 2 2 . .2 2 d n = z p q foreseeable future. The majority of students (72.6%) had at some time tried to stop smoking. The main recommendations of the study reached: Providing of school activities such as establishment of association of school health, the role of social workers and teachers in schools to identify and counseling of smoker students to motivate them for quitting, and activating the role of the laws in schools to stop smoking absolutely.