2014 Volume 61 Issue 12 Pages 718-731
Objectives To identify factors related to smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava in children attending the upper grades of primary schools in Vanuatu.
Methods We conducted a self-administered survey of 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students attending primary schools in both urban and rural areas of Vanuatu. The main survey items included questions on the personal attribute (sex, age, grade); experience of smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava; food consumption (local food/store-bought food); perceptions of local foods and store-bought foods; attitudes toward smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava; knowledge related to non-communicable diseases; attitudes toward health practices; guardians’ health-related parenting attitudes; and family members’ use of tobacco, alcohol, and kava.
The responses for the main outcome variables (smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava) were dichotomized as ‘ever’ versus ‘never’. Factors related to smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava were examined using logistic regression analysis. The significance level was set at P<0.05.
Results A total of 415 (194 urban and 221 rural) students participated in our study that had total and valid response rates of 100% for both. Of the participants, 8%, 12.4%, and 5.8% had previously smoked, consumed alcohol, or consumed kava, respectively. Students’ experience of smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava were mutually associated. Student sex and family members’ smoking status were significantly associated with the participants’ smoking status. Student grades, attitudes toward drinking, and perceptions of local and store-bought food were significantly associated with alcohol consumption. Lastly, attitudes toward kava and alcohol consumption and perceptions of local food were significantly associated with kava consumption.
Conclusion Our results indicate that the food consumption, attitudes toward smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava, and family members’ smoking status were associated with the participants’ smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava. In conclusion, it may be necessary to consider these factors when establishing measures to prevent smoking and consumption of alcohol and kava among primary school students.
