Abstract

ARENAS MONREAL, LUZ et al. PREVALENCIA DE TABAQUISMO EN ADOLESCENTES DE UN COLEGIO DE BACHILLERES DEL ESTADO DE MORELOS, MÉXICO. Rev. Inst. Nal. Enf. Resp. Mex. [online]. 2004, vol.17, n.1, pp.22-26. ISSN 0187-7585.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of smoking in High School students in order to have significant information to design an educative intervention. Material and methods: A transversal exploratory study was performed on 490 students of a public urban Highs School in the State of Morelos, Mexico. A survey was applied in December, 2001. Statistical analysis was done by proportion differences between groups with a confidence level of 95%. Results: Smoking habit prevalence was 27.3%. Teenagers reported to smoke in public places: parties (66%), nightclubs (43%), street (46.6%). The relationship between smoking habits in teenagers and having a relative who is also a tobacco addict was 71.6% (p=0.000). The father held the first place (55.01%). Among smoking teenagers, 98.5% also drank alcoholic beverages (p=0.000). Conclusion: These results are similar to those reported for students in India and Australia, but lower than those for European countries (Great Britain and Norway), and America (USA, Chile). Results of this study will be used to design an educational intervention directed to diminish addiction in this area.

Keywords : Teenagers; smoking habit; prevalence.