Determinants of cigarette smoking initiation in Jordanian schoolchildren: longitudinal analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To identify determinants of cigarette smoking initiation, by gender, among schoolchildren in Irbid, Jordan.

Methods

Between 2008 and 2011, data were collected annually using self-reported questionnaires over 4-years in a prospective cohort of 1,781 students recruited from all 7th grade classes in 19 secondary schools, selected out of a total 60, using probability-proportionate-to-size method. Independent predictors of smoking initiation were identified among the cigarette naïve participants (N = 1,454) with mixed-effect multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Participants were 12.6 years of age on average at baseline. 29.8% of the 1,454 students (37.2% of boys and 23.7% of girls) initiated cigarette smoking by 10th grade. Of those who initiated (n = 498),

SUBMITTER: McKelvey K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4432393 | biostudies-literature | 2015 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature