A systematic review of the prevalence and risk factors of smoking among Saudi adolescents

Factors associated with tobacco use among Saudi Arabian youth: Application of the Theory of Planned Behavior

INTRODUCTION

The epidemic of tobacco use poses one of the most severe public health challenges globally, responsible for over 8 million deaths annually according to the World Health Organization (WHO). This study investigates the factors associated with tobacco use among Saudi Arabian youth using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) framework.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study used the 2022 Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) to assess tobacco use among 5610 Saudi students aged 13-15 years. The structured, anonymous questionnaire collected demographic data and TPB constructs (e.g. attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control, and intentions) were derived from the validated GYTS questionnaire, with items grouped and scored to represent each construct. One-way ANOVA, t-tests, and logistic regression analyses were conducted, with a significance level set at 0.05.

RESULTS

Of the surveyed students, 5610 (80.4%) aged 13-15 years met the inclusion criteria. Tobacco use was prevalent, with 31.3% having ever used tobacco and 8.78% currently using it. Negative attitudes toward tobacco were inversely associated with usage (AOR=0.97; 95% CI: 0.970-0.974). Subjective norms, reflecting perceived social pressure, were positively associated with tobacco use (AOR=1.17; 95% CI: 1.170-1.176). Perceived behavioral control, indicating the ease of quitting or avoiding tobacco, was strongly associated with use (AOR=1.87; 95% CI: 1.848-1.888). Stronger behavioral intentions to use tobacco were also associated with a higher likelihood of use (AOR=1.24; 95% CI: 1.226-1.246).

CONCLUSIONS

The high prevalence of tobacco use among Saudi Arabian youth, early initiation, and significant social influences highlight the need for comprehensive public health strategies. Targeted education, reduced tobacco accessibility, and programs to shift social norms and attitudes are essential. Addressing these factors can help prevent initiation and support cessation efforts among young people.

Exploring Cognitive and Behavioral Changes Related to Smoking Among Medical Students in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Objectives: This study aims to determine smoking patterns, prevalence, and associated factors among medical students in Jeddah, focusing on experimentation, daily smoking, cessation efforts, awareness of health risks, and attitudes toward quitting. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, from September to November 2023. It involved 213 medical students, from the second to sixth year, enrolled in various universities. Data collection utilized a comprehensive questionnaire adapted from the World Health Organization's questionnaire and enhanced with additional relevant items by the researchers. The questionnaire, comprising eight sections, was administered online over a three-month period. Results: About 30.8% reported ever smoking, with 21.6% currently smoking. Among ever-smokers, 43.1% began smoking during college, mostly in the second year. Stress, exploration, and peer influence were frequent reasons for initiating smoking during college years. About 32.3% never considered quitting, while 67.7% thought about it. Regarding quit attempts, 53.8% attempted seriously, and 5.3% quit in the last year. Protective factors against smoking included health concerns and setting a good example. Most participants recognized smoking-related health hazards, with strong consensus on the effectiveness of anti-smoking measures. Notably, many participants expressed proactive attitudes toward smoking cessation interventions. Conclusions: Smoking is prevalent among Saudi medical students, often starting in college due to stress, new experiences, and peer influence. Many consider quitting, probably supported by the educational environment and a sense of responsibility toward personal and public health. Strengthened educational frameworks, including stress management training, are crucial for fostering a health-focused professional identity.

Electronic cigarettes use and parental factors among children and adolescents, Jeddah. A cross-sectional study

E-cigarettes are gaining popularity worldwide, necessitating their control. This study investigated the impact of parental factors on E-cigarette use among children-adolescents in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional survey involving 1,044 parents of children aged 10- to 21 was conducted in malls. A structured questionnaire assessed parental socio-economic status, smoking/vaping habits, and attitudes toward E-cigarette use.Data were analysed using chi-square, Mann-Whitney, and binary logistic regression (significance set at 0.05). Results showed 176 (16.9%) parents reported their children using E-cigarettes. Older adolescents (18-21 age group) were significantly more likely to use E-cigarettes compared to younger ones (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]:6.456, 95% CI:3.664-11.374). Parents with a permissive attitude were more likely to have children who vape. (AOR:1.643, 95% CI:1.149-2.348). While open parent-child communication about traditional smoking reduced E-cigarettes use (AOR:0.772, 95% CI:0.639-0.934). Parental attitudes and open communication are crucial for mitigating youth E-cigarette use.

Prevalence of Electronic Cigarette Use Among Female Residents of Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have gained considerable popularity on a global scale, with an increasing prevalence among younger adults. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence, patterns, and determinants of e-cigarette use among women in Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. Methodology A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2023 and July 2024 involving 491 adult female participants. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire and subsequently analyzed using SPSS Version 26.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Descriptive and inferential statistics, including chi-square tests, were employed to assess relationships between e-cigarette use and various independent variables. Results The prevalence of e-cigarette use among participants was 17.5%. Significant factors associated with e-cigarette use included age (highest among women aged 21 to 30 years, p = 0.038), unemployment (p = 0.011), perceived poor health (p = 0.002), and having friends or family members who use e-cigarettes (p = 0.001). The primary reasons for using e-cigarettes were influence from friends (70.9%) and family members (54.7%), curiosity (33.7%), and appealing flavors (30.2%). A considerable proportion of users reported experiencing dependence and difficulty quitting. Conclusions The prevalence of e-cigarette use among female residents of Al-Ahsa is influenced by a complex interplay of social, demographic, and perceptual factors. The findings underscore the necessity for comprehensive interventions targeting social environments and educational initiatives and addressing misconceptions about the potential risks of e-cigarettes.

Dietary Patterns among Smokers and Non-Smokers: Findings from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018

Diet behavior and nutrition are critical for maintaining health and improving quality of life. Cigarette smoking remains the leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Poor dietary choices, such as excessively frequenting restaurants, consuming ready-to-eat foods from grocery stores, and ingesting ultra-processed foods (like frozen meals and pizzas), can adversely impact health. Despite this, research comparing dietary behaviors between smokers and non-smokers is limited. Using data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2017-2018, we analyzed diet behavior based on smoking status. Our findings reveal that smokers had a significant increase (90%) in the frequency of consuming frozen meals/pizzas in the past 30 days compared to non-smokers (coefficient: 1.9; 95% CI: 1.4, 2.6; p-value < 0.001). Additionally, over 70% of participants, regardless of their smoking status, were unaware of MyPlate, a nutritional guide created by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to encourage Americans to make healthier food choices. There is an urgent need to increase public awareness of MyPlate and promote a better understanding of healthy dietary behaviors.

How Did COVID-19 Impact Smoking Habits in the Saudi Community?

Background/aims Most countries have gone through lockdowns to varying degrees during the COVID-19 pandemic to reduce the spread of the disease. The successive pandemic waves have impacted the health system, imposing restrictions set by the government. This changed people's daily life routines and they felt more socially isolated, which in turn had an impact on their mental health. Some factors were linked to the severity and outcome of COVID-19 on patients. One of these factors was smoking. This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and impact of lockdown on smoking habits, as well as the changes in attitudes, behavior, and the rate of consumption before and after the government restrictions in the general population of Saudi Arabia. Materials and methods The present cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 921 participants from the general population of Saudi Arabia. Data were collected via an online questionnaire. A structured self-response questionnaire was given to the participants after institutional research ethical approval was obtained for the study. Results A total of 921 participants from the smoker population of Saudi Arabia were included in the study. The majority of participants were male (72.9%), and more than half were aged between 18 and 34 years (53.7%). Single individuals had a higher prevalence of increased smoking and a lower rate of quitting compared to married individuals. Participants with higher education levels were more likely to continue smoking at the same rate. While 40.5% of participants reported no change in their smoking rate during the pandemic, 15.4% reported a decrease, 39.0% reported an increase, and 5.1% reported quitting smoking. Participants who reported feeling more stressed during the pandemic had a higher prevalence of increased smoking. The majority of participants believed that smoking increased the risk of COVID-19 infection. Conclusion The study highlights the need for targeted smoking cessation interventions and support services during the pandemic, considering demographic factors, living arrangements, and psychological impact. Efforts should be made to raise awareness about the negative health consequences of smoking during the pandemic and provide resources for stress management and alternative coping strategies. These findings have important implications for public health interventions and policies in Saudi Arabia.

Primordial and Primary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke in Saudi Arabia: A Combination Approach and Evolving Concepts

Ischemic stroke is a considerable public health hazard and a significant cause of disability and mortality in Saudi Arabia. Primary prevention strategies in the country are currently limited. With the health sector transformation program that depends on the principles of value-based care and applying the new model of care in disease prevention, aggressive and serious steps for primary stroke prevention are expected to be implemented. This article reviews primordial and primary prevention of ischemic stroke in Saudi Arabia and suggests a combination approach and framework for implementation. We provide a pragmatic solution to implement primordial and primary stroke prevention in Saudi Arabia and specify the roles of the government, health professionals, policymakers, and the entire population. Currently, there are several key priorities for primordial and primary stroke prevention in Saudi Arabia that should target people at different levels of risk. These include an emphasis on a comprehensive approach that includes both individual and population-based strategies and establishing partnerships across health-care providers to share responsibility for developing and implementing both strategies. This is an urgent call for action to initiate different strategies suggested by experts for primary stroke prevention in Saudi Arabia.

Prevalence of Tobacco Products' Use and Associated Factors Among Adolescents in Morocco: A Systematic Review

Introduction

Tobacco use is the major preventable cause of premature death worldwide, responsible for about 8 million deaths per year, mostly in low- and middle-income countries, such as Morocco. Adolescents' tobacco use is a matter of concern, because early initiation increases the risk of becoming a lifelong user. There exists a notable gap in the synthesis of evidence concerning tobacco use among Moroccan adolescents. Thus, the purpose of this study was to provide a comprehensive view of the prevalence of tobacco products' use and associated factors among adolescents in Morocco.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and ScienceDirect for relevant studies reporting prevalence rates of tobacco products' use among Moroccan adolescents, published until June 2024, using inclusion and exclusion criteria in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Additional searches were completed on other sources to reach unpublished reports. The Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to assess the quality of included studies.

Results

After the final screening, 22 papers met the inclusion criteria. Life-time prevalence of tobacco use ranged from 7.8% to 20.4% for cigarettes smoking, from 10.6% to 21.9% for waterpipe, from 7.9% to 9.1% for chewing tobacco and from 9.2% to 12.4% for snuff. The last 12-month prevalence of cigarette smoking was comprised between 6.9% and 10.8%. As for the prevalence of current use, ranges of (1.8%-16.4%) and (4.9%-8.4%) were noted for cigarettes and waterpipe, respectively. The most commonly highlighted risk factors for tobacco use included male sex, older age, having friends or family members who use tobacco and low perception of risk associated with tobacco use.

Conclusion

Our findings reveal an alarming situation of tobacco use among Moroccan adolescents. Therefore, it is crucial that all stakeholders engage in concerted efforts to develop and implement evidence-based preventive interventions among early adolescents.

The Association Between Nicotine Dependence and Mental Health in the General Population of Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study

Background

High prevalence of mental disorders is associated with psychoactive substances, significantly contributing to morbidity, disability, and premature mortality. Worldwide, individuals who use electronic-cigarettes (EC) and have a mental health diagnosis are more likely to experience stress, depression, and drug use. This study aims to measure the prevalence of both EC use and mental health disorders namely, anxiety and depression additionally to investigate the association between EC use and mental health status among the general population of Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted across Saudi Arabia from November 2022 to May 2023. The survey was divided into three sections. The first section focuses on the demographics, while the second part asked about both conventional and EC smoking and their frequency. The third section assessed mental health status using a Patient Health Questionnaire with a 9-item depression scale (PHQ-9) and a 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7).

Results

The study revealed 21.1% reporting EC use in the past thirty days. While 19.8% reported smoking tobacco one or more days within the last thirty days. Regarding mental health, 36.6% of individuals had minimal anxiety, while 42.4% experienced mild anxiety. Moreover, most of the participant were considered to have mild followed by minimal depression accounting for 36.7% and 31.9%, respectively. The results indicated a positive and significant correlation between perceived depression scores and nicotine dependence among EC users. Additionally, there was a strong relationship between gender and nicotine dependence, with men being more inclined than women.

Conclusion

There is a correlation between nicotine use and mental health outcomes; people who use nicotine products are more likely to experience anxiety and depression.

Association Between Second-Hand Smoke Exposure and Respiratory Symptoms Among the General Population of Non-smoker Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure is associated with respiratory symptoms such as cough, dyspnea, and wheezing. However, data on this association in Saudi Arabia is limited.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence of SHS exposure and its association with respiratory symptoms among non-smoker adults in Saudi Arabia.

METHODS

Data collection was carried out over the course of two months by distributing an online questionnaire among adults living in Saudi Arabia. The survey consisted of questions assessing sociodemographic factors, SHS exposure, and the presence of respiratory symptoms. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 22 (Released 2013; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Data was considered significant if p<0.05.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was completed by 1360 participants. Most were females (n=845, 72.1%) and individuals aged 18 to 30 years (n=838, 71.5%). From the analyzed records, 67.3% (n=789) reported SHS exposure. Among them, 40.3% (n=472) reported SHS exposure from household sources, 32.6% (n=382) from work colleagues, and 30.5% (n=357) from friends. The majority (n=306, 76.9%) of those exposed at home reported daily SHS exposure. The main source of home exposure was male family members, particularly the father (n=201, 42.6%). The majority (n=985, 84.0%) of participants reported not having any kind of mold or damage at their place of residence. Individuals with SHS exposure were more likely to report asthma (p=0.043), chest whistling or wheezing (p=0.021), chronic cough (p<0.001), productive cough (p<0.001), and nasal symptoms without a cold (p<0.001). These individuals also demonstrated a higher average symptom score than those not exposed to SHS.  Conclusion: The study reveals that a significant percentage of the Saudi population is exposed to SHS daily, mainly from household sources, especially male family members. A significant association was found between SHS exposure and the presence of respiratory symptoms. Public awareness regarding the prevalence and dangers of SHS exposure is essential in order to alleviate the impact of SHS on the health of the general Saudi population. Additionally, further research is required in this field and demographic group to develop appropriate interventions.

Cardiovascular risk factors and venous thromboembolism in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A meta-analysis and systemic review

Over the years, the literature dealt with venous thromboembolism (VTE) and atherosclerosis as two distinct pathologic processes but recently this theory has been challenged. This research aims to determine the relationship between cardiovascular risk factors and VTE. This meta-analysis and systemic review included case-control and non-case-control studies. We searched Google Scholar, Web of Science, MEDLINE, and EMBASE for studies conducted in Saudi Arabia, addressing the relationship between VTE and cardiovascular risk factors, and published during the period from January 2001 to December 2021. Quality assessment was done for included studies and pooled odds and prevalence ratios were reported. Evidence of bias was assessed using funnel plots and the Egger regression test. A total of 3291 patients with VTE and 3393 controls from 24 studies were enrolled. The pooled odds ratios were 1.33 (95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 1.01-1.77), 1.2 (95% CI = 0.88-1.64), 0.881 (95% CI = 0.55-1.41), 0.676 (95% CI = 0.04-11.25), 1.15 (95% CI = 0.75-1.75), 0.925 (95% CI = 0.55-1.56), 1.45 (95% CI = 0.89-2.35), and 1.49 (95% CI = 0.24-5.23) for age >60 years, female gender, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and smoking, respectively. The pooled prevalence ratios were 42.6%, 55.7%, 51.6%, 48%, 44%, 32.8%, 30.9%, and 46.6%, respectively, for the same factors. Few studies reported dyslipidemia and smoking. In conclusion, old Old age, female gender, diabetes, obesity, and smoking are associated with increased risk of VTE with the highest risks seen with obesity and smoking. Additionally, female gender was the most prevalent risk factor among VTE patients.

Influence of Lifestyle Changes on Cardiovascular Diseases in Saudi Arabia: A Systematic Literature Review

In Saudi Arabia, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has undergone tremendous socio-economic development and urbanization over the past few decades, which has profoundly changed the lifestyle leading to several risk factors that contribute to the high prevalence of CVD. This systematic review identified significant lifestyle factors associated with CVD risk in order to inform effective interventions to decrease the CVD burden in Saudi Arabia. We researched all published articles and reports evaluating CVD risk factors in Saudi Arabia in the last four years from the following databases: Medline, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Embase. A total of 19 articles and 1 report were included. Physical inactivity was among 69.4% of the population, mostly among Saudi women, and was associated with 1.4-1.5 odds of CVD. Obesity prevalence was 49.6%-57% and was associated with more odds of CVD among women than men (3.3 odds vs. 2.38 odds). More than a third (34.4%) of the Saudi population studied ate unhealthy diets (rich in fat, poor in fibers, less vegetables and fruits, and ultra-processed), which was found to more than triple (almost quadruple) the CVD risks (OR=3.8). Smoking prevalence was 12.2%-26.2% and was more among men. Other factors, such as type 2 diabetes (OR=2.3) and stress (5.4%-16.9%), were also identified as factors. The prevalence of CVD lifestyle-related risk factors is still high in Saudi Arabia, especially physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, obesity, and smoking, which highlights the urgent need for lifestyle modifications and public health campaigns and collaboration among the Saudi government and its partners to effectively improve cardiovascular health in Saudi Arabia.

Impact of Smoking Status and Nicotine Dependence on Academic Performance of Health Sciences Students

Background

Smoking behavior has been associated with poor academic performance among adult students worldwide. However, the detrimental effect of nicotine dependence on several students' academic achievement indicators is still unclear. This study aims to assess the impact of smoking status and nicotine dependence on grade point average (GPA), absenteeism rate and academic warnings among undergraduate health sciences students in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A validated cross-sectional survey was conducted, in which, participants responded to questions evaluated cigarette consumption, urge to consume and dependency, learning performance, days of absentees, and academic warnings.

Results

A total of 501 students from different health specialties have completed the survey. Of whom, 66% were male, 95% ranging between the age of 18-30 years old, and 81% reported no health issues or chronic diseases. Current smokers estimated to be 30% of the respondents, of which 36% revealed smoking history of 2-3 years. The prevalence of nicotine dependency (high to extremely high) was 50%. Overall, smokers had significantly lower GPA, higher absenteeism rate, and higher number of academic warnings when compared to nonsmokers (p<0.001). Heavy smokers demonstrated significantly less GPA (p=0.036), higher days of absences (p=0.017), and more academic warnings (p=0.021) compared to light smokers. The linear regression model indicated a significant association between smoking history (increased pack-per-year) and poor GPA (p=0.01) and increased number of academic warning last semester (p=0.01), while increased cigarette consumption was substantially linked with higher academic warnings (p=0.002), lower GPA (p=0.01), and higher absenteeism rate for last semester (p=0.01).

Conclusion

Smoking status and nicotine dependence were predictive of worsening academic performance, including lower GPA, higher absenteeism rate and academic warnings. In addition, there is a substantial and unfavorable dose-response association between smoking history and cigarette consumption with impaired academic performance indicators.

Smoking Habits among College Students at a Public University in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Tobacco smoking is one of the leading risk factors for ill health and death worldwide. Adolescence is the starting age of smoking for most current smokers worldwide. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of tobacco, the habits of different types of former smokers, and their relationship to other specialties and sociodemographic data. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Saudi Arabia. An online questionnaire was sent to students' emails to assess their smoking prevalence and tobacco and nicotine product habits. Results: Of the 895 students in IMSIU who participated in our survey, most reported having never used/tried tobacco, representing (76.4%). Most of the students who smoke began to smoke within the last five years (46.4%), which strongly indicates that they started to smoke when they entered the university. When students were asked about the time they like to smoke, most reported that they smoke when they feel stressed/under pressure (57.1%). There was a strong relationship between having a family member who smokes and being a smoker (53.1%). Conclusions: The prevalence of cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, and Shisha was 18.3%, 5%, and 11%, respectively. Anti-smoking regulations at the university level should be periodically reviewed to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of tobacco control strategies.

Awareness of tobacco control policies and anti-tobacco attitudes and behaviors among school personnel

INTRODUCTION

Adolescent smoking is a serious public health concern, and the role of personnel in reducing students’tobacco use has been proven. Anti-tobacco policies are strong factors for tobacco control but most are newly implemented in China. This study aimed to examine the awareness of anti-tobacco policies among school personnel in a southern city of China, and assess its influence on personnel’s anti-tobacco attitudes and behaviors towards students.

METHODS

An online cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2017 and January 2018 in schools of Shanghai, China. A total of 3194 subjects from 33 schools were selected by a two-stage stratified cluster randomized sampling design. Prevalence of anti-tobacco policy awareness is presented. Crude (ORs) and adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to assess the association between policy awareness and anti-tobacco attitudes or behaviors.

RESULTS

In all, 22.4% of surveyed participants knew four or five polices presented in the survey and 13.0% of personnel knew none of these policies. Most of the participants fully support prohibiting indoor (94.6%) and outdoor (86.3%) smoking in public places, bans on tobacco advertising (90.9%), and printing warning pictures on cigarette boxes (89.5%). Less than half of the personnel had taken action to stop students from smoking (45.7%), encourage students to quit smoking (42.4%) or participated in relevant educational activities held by schools (37.4%) in the previous year. The school personnel’s anti-tobacco attitudes (AOR=1.28; 95% CI: 1.21–1.36) and behaviors (AOR=1.10; 95% CI: 1.03–1.17) were strengthened with increasing level of policy awareness.

CONCLUSIONS

The involvement of school personnel can be an important part of intervention to improve anti-tobacco campaigns on campus. The study calls for the implementation of projects or activities to improve anti-tobacco policy awareness in the school environment as part of school tobacco control strategy.

Religiosity is Associated with Motivation to Start and Stop Smoking Among Adolescent Students in Brazil

This study aimed to estimate associations between adolescents' religiosity and their motivation to start and stop smoking. A school survey was carried out in Midwestern Brazil. Participants were never-smokers (n = 2073) and smokers (n = 116) aged 13-19 who answered a questionnaire. Religiosity was measured with the Duke Religion Index, and motivation with questions based on the Prime Theory of Motivation. Organizational, non-organizational, and intrinsic religiosity were associated with motivation to start smoking among never-smokers. Intrinsic religiosity was associated with smokers' motivation to quit. Findings indicate the protective role of religiosity in the motivational system that prompts smoking initiation and cessation during adolescence.

The Negative Impact of Tobacco Smoking on Health-Related Quality of Life among Saudi Adolescents During the COVID-19 Pandemic

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of cigarette smoking and health-related quality of life among Saudi secondary vocational students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 328 answered a web-based self-administered questionnaire based on the Youth Risky Behavior Monitoring System (YRBSS) plus the Short Form 12 (SF-12) were included in the study. The target population included all Saudi students enrolled at the Secondary Industrial Institute in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, during December 2020 and February 2021.

RESULTS

Out of the total of 328 male participants, representing a response rate of 38.59%, the highest percentage of respondents were in the first year (45.4%), the mean age of the participants was 17.73 years with a standard deviation (SD) of 1.85 years. The prevalence of current smokers, past smokers, and never smokers accounted for 30.2%, 21.3%, and 48.5%, respectively. First-year students reported relatively high levels of smoking prevalence and low physical scores of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The overall mean of HRQoL of current smokers, past smokers, and never smokers accounted for 58.60, 58.38, and 63.66, respectively. In addition, current smokers reported a relatively low physical score of HRQoL 55.73.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report to explore the impact of smoking on HRQoL of Secondary Industrial Institute students in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicate that smoking has a negative impact on the quality of life of vocational students. Therefore, a health strategies plan may be developed to improve the quality of life for vocational students in Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of cigarette smoking and health-related quality of life among Saudi secondary vocational students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A convenience sample of 328 answered a web-based self-administered questionnaire based on the Youth Risky Behavior Monitoring System (YRBSS) plus the Short Form 12 (SF-12) were included in the study. The target population included all Saudi students enrolled at the Secondary Industrial Institute in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, during December 2020 and February 2021.

RESULTS

Out of the total of 328 male participants, representing a response rate of 38.59%, the highest percentage of respondents were in the first year (45.4%), the mean age of the participants was 17.73 years with a standard deviation (SD) of 1.85 years. The prevalence of current smokers, past smokers, and never smokers accounted for 30.2%, 21.3%, and 48.5%, respectively. First-year students reported relatively high levels of smoking prevalence and low physical scores of health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The overall mean of HRQoL of current smokers, past smokers, and never smokers accounted for 58.60, 58.38, and 63.66, respectively. In addition, current smokers reported a relatively low physical score of HRQoL 55.73.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report to explore the impact of smoking on HRQoL of Secondary Industrial Institute students in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results indicate that smoking has a negative impact on the quality of life of vocational students. Therefore, a health strategies plan may be developed to improve the quality of life for vocational students in Saudi Arabia.

Pulmonary rehabilitation for COPD: A narrative review and call for further implementation in Saudi Arabia

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, preventable, and treatable condition, in which outcomes can be improved with careful management. Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) comprises exercise and education, delivered by multidisciplinary teams. PR is a cost-effective management strategy in COPD patients which improves exercise performance, reduces dyspnea, reduces the risk of exacerbation, and improves health-related quality of life. All COPD patients appear to benefit irrespective of their baseline function, and PR has also been shown to be a clinically and cost-effective management approach following an acute exacerbation. COPD patients with greater disability and those recovering postexacerbation should be specifically targeted for PR. Due to limited current capacity, the latter group may not currently be able to benefit from PR. Therefore, there is a need for the wider implementation of PR services in Saudi Arabia, requiring us to address challenges including capacity and workforce competency.

Impulsivity mediates the impact of early life adversity on high risk behaviors among Tunisian adolescents

Adverse childhood experience (ACE) has become an alarming phenomenon exposing youth at a great risk of developing mental health issues. Several studies have examined the mechanism by which ACE affects adolescent's engagement in risky behaviors. However, little is known about these associations in the Tunisian/African context. We investigated the role of impulsivity in the link between ACE and health risk behaviors among schooled adolescents in Tunisia. We performed a cross sectional study among 1940 schooled adolescents in the city of Mahdia (Tunisia) from January to February 2020. To measure ACE, we used the validated Arabic version of the World Health Organization ACE questionnaire. The Barratt Impulsivity Scale and the Internet Addiction Test were used as screening tools for impulsivity and internet addiction. A total of 2520 adolescents were recruited. Of those, 1940 returned the questionnaires with an overall response rate of 77%. The majority (97.5%) reported experiencing at least one ACE. Emotional neglect (83.2%) and witnessing community violence (73.5%) were the most reported intra-familial ACEs. Males had higher rates of exposure to social violence than females. The most common risky behavior was internet addiction (50%, 95%CI = [47.9-52.3%]). Our survey revealed that ACEs score predict problematic behaviors through impulsiveness (% mediated = 16.7%). Specifically, we found a major mediating role of impulsivity between the exposure to ACE and the risk of internet addiction (% mediated = 37.5%). Our results indicate the role of impulsivity in translating the risk associated with ACE leading to engagement in high risk behaviors.

Substance use behavior and its lifestyle-related risk factors in Bangladeshi high school-going adolescents: An exploratory study

Substance abuse is a major concern worldwide and is increasing rapidly in Bangladesh. However, there are no prior studies concerning lifestyle-related factors that influence adolescents' substance use behavior. Therefore, the present study investigated the prevalence of substance use and its associated sociodemographic and lifestyle-related risk factors among a total of 424 Bangladeshi high school-going adolescents through a structured questionnaire interview study. The survey questionnaire consisted of socio-demographics, lifestyle-related information, and substance use-related questions. For data analysis, descriptive and inferential statistics were performed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) version 22.0, and a p-value of <0.05 determined statistical significance. Results showed that 21.2%, 14.4%, and 15.1% of the participants reported smoking, using a drug, and consuming alcohol, respectively, at least once during their lifespan; whereas the current (i.e., past-month) rates were reported to be 10.4%, 2.8%, and 3.1%, respectively. Overall, the current substance use risk factors were identified as being male, not being from science academic background, having less family influence on personal life, irregular teeth brushing, being smartphone users, using a smartphone for a longer time, and being late-night sleepers. From the list of identified risk factors of substance use, those that are modifiable may be targeted to evolve a prevention program to manage this problem in Bangladeshi adolescents.

Towards a better understanding of factors affecting smoking uptake among Saudi male adolescents: A qualitative study

INTRODUCTION

An increased smoking uptake by Saudi male adolescents and a lack of data about its determinants emphasize the need for a better understanding of factors leading to the onset of smoking and identifying ways to prevent it. The aim of this qualitative study is to explore adolescents' views on smoking and their opinions about a smoking prevention program.

METHODS

A total of 103 school-going adolescents, aged 12-16 years, were purposely selected from grades seven, eight and nine from nine schools in Taif in Saudi Arabia. They were interviewed in 11 focus group discussions; five groups were held for smokers and six for non-smokers. An interview scheme was developed based on the I-Change Model, a model used for understanding smoking onset and prevention. We used QDA Lite version 2:0 software for data analysis.

RESULTS

Most of the participants agreed on the importance of social influences as determining factors to start smoking. The presence of smoking friend(s) and family member(s), especially the father, were mentioned. Factors such as having extra pocket money, absence of alternatives, showing off, to be seen as western, to be seen as an adult and the good taste of cigarettes were also mentioned as beliefs associated with smoking. Adolescents indicated to have low confidence not to smoke under peer pressure, suggesting self-efficacy problems. Intentions to smoke were also often mentioned. Almost all participants agreed that an interactive approach is optimal for an effective smoking prevention program.

CONCLUSIONS

Determinants of smoking seem to be very similar to those outlined by previous studies. A smoking prevention program for Saudi adolescents should address how to cope with social pressure to smoke, the advantages connected with smoking, and how to increase self-efficacy. Information should be presented in an interactive rather than static way.