SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS OF MALAYSIAN ADOLESCENT SMOKERS

It is well established that nicotine dependence could provide information regarding an individual smoking frequency and habits. Here, a cross-sectional study was conducted among students (n = 349) identified as smokers from four secondary schools in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Students (13-17 years of age) completed a self-administrated questionnaire that sought to understand their smoking patterns and self-reported nicotine dependence level, the latter ascertained from scores of a Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC). The survey revealed the majority of adolescent smokers were male (similar to 93%), both among students attending urban and rural schools, and came from households with a total monthly income of <= MYR 3,900 (USD 933) (low income bracket). Mean +/- standard deviation (SD) HONC score for adolescents from rural schools was higher (3.1 +/- 2.8) compared to those attending urban schools (2.3 +/- 2.4). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed independent factors associated with nicotine dependence were male gender, exhaled breath carbon monoxide level of similar to 1 ppm, perceived ability to quit smoking, and requirement of assistance to quit smoking. These results should provide insights into problems that need to be addressed in improving smoking prevention programs targeting students, in particular taking into account differences in smoking behavior between those attending schools located in rural and urban settings.