Susceptibility to cigarette smoking and associated factors among high school students in western Ethiopia

OBJECTIVE: Tobacco smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable premature death worldwide. Adolescence is a common period at which most of the established smokers start experimenting and smoking. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of susceptibility to cigarette smoking and associated factors among high school students in western Ethiopia. RESULT: The prevalence of susceptibility to cigarette smoking among the study participants was 16.9%. Two-third (65.9%, 95% CI; 62.77, 68.87) of the students reported that they are exposed to second hand smoking in public areas. Students, whose father smoked (OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.26, 6.09), whose friends smoked (OR 3.73 95% CI 1.57, 8.90). Adolescents who have the perception that boys who smoke are attractive (OR 2.26, 95% CI 1.24, 4.09) and smoking cigarettes makes young people look cool (OR 1.47, 95% CI; 1.01, 2.17) were more likely to be susceptible to smoking. Having the knowledge that tobacco smoking is harmful (OR .43, CI 95% .28, .67) to health was found to be a protective factor against susceptibility to smoking cigarette.