IDENTIFYING SOCIAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL AND DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS LEADING TO SMOKING INITIATION IN COLLEGE BOYS

Abstract

Objectives: To identify social, psychological and demographic risk factors of
cigarette smoking in college boys.
Methodology: Cross-sectional research design was used in this research. Purposive
sampling technique was used for data collection. Sample of total 500
(smokers = 350, non-smokers = 150) was obtained from 10 public colleges of
Lahore city. A comprehensive self-structured questionnaire which contained
items related to social, psychological and demographic information was prepare
and employed for data collection. Descriptive statistics, alpha reliability
analysis, chi-square, and logistic regression model were carried out for data
analyses.
Results: Significant positive association of group pressure (χ2 =14.52), modeling
(χ2 =12.93), social deviance (χ2 =10.70), advertisement propaganda
(χ2 =05.16), fashion (χ2 =14.65) and easy availability (χ2 =06.33) was found
with smoking initiation in college boys. Similarly, psychological factors of curiosity
(χ2 = 12.84), stress-reduction (χ2 = 14.71), depression (χ2 = 04.92),
PATS (χ2 = 09.46) and competion with friends (χ2 = 03.02) were found. Social
factors (B =.57, OR=1.62, 95% CI, 1.40-1.87, p<.001), psychological factors
(B =.21, OR=1.45, 95% CI, 1.02-1.70, p<.05), and demographic factors of father's
smoking behavior (B =.39, OR=1.51, 95% CI, 1.30-2.10, p<.01), friend
who smoke (B =.58, OR=2.89, 95% CI, 1.45-3.72, p<.001), and monthly pocket
money (B =.48, OR=1.55, 95% CI, 1.08-2.12, p<.001) were found.
Conclusion: Social, psychological and demographic variables are significantly
associated with smoking behavior in college boys.