Social norms and social opportunities: a qualitative study of influences on tobacco use among urban adolescent girls in Ghana.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tobacco use is a global public health threat and a leading preventable cause of death in the world. While cigarette use among youth has been decreasing in high-income countries, low- and middle-income countries have contrastingly high rates of adolescent smoking. In Ghana, smoking prevalence is lower than in other parts of the African continent and more common among men than women; however the gender gap in tobacco use among adolescents has narrowed, with shisha use among girls recently surpassing boys. These trends toward increased relative use among adolescent girls are a cause for concern and highlight the need for interventions to prevent and/or reduce tobacco use in this population.

Methods

We conducted in-depth interviews with girls aged 13-20 (n = 148) and

SUBMITTER: Aryee LNA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11514744 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature