Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Hiller, M.
Rauchverhalten und Einstellung zum Rauchen steirischer Jugendlicher unter Berücksichtigung ihres sozialen Umfeldes, der Geschlechtszugehörigkeit und der Schulbildung.
[ Diplomarbeit/Master Thesis ] Graz Medical University; 2008. pp.63.
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- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Smolle Josef
- Smolle-Juettner Freyja-Maria
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- The high smoking prevalence among the Austrian population is quite alarming, since smoking is tightly associated with cardiovascular diseases and several cancer types like lung and larynx cancer. Therefore, it is very important to start with educational programmes about deleterious health effects of smoking as soon as possible. In the following survey, 2250 Styrian pupils, aged between 10 and 17 years, were questioned about their smoking habits. 15,6% admitted to smoke currently. This survey concluded contrary to other studies, that the first cigarette is tried on an average age of 10,77 +- 2,5 years. More than half of the probands, 55,4% told, to have smoked at least one cigarette. This trend seems to be much higher among male probands. Boys try their first cigarette on average six months earlier than girls of the same age (boys 11,01 +- 2,46 years vs. girls 11,61 +- 2,09 years). From above mentioned 55,4% adolescent students who have already tried their first cigarette, an alarming part of 61,1% continuous smoking. Their significant high number of those who keep on smoking highlights the fact that the first try is not as harmless as it has been believed to be and should be taken very seriously as a risk factor. Those who stayed on smoking after their first try, consumed on average 34,95 cigarettes weekly. Further more, this survey revealed that boys smoke significantly more than girls (38,77 versus 30,88 cigarettes a week respectively). Which means, that the female smokers consume less cigarettes weekly than the male smokers, in spite of their higher number (16,7% versus 14%). Another aspect which was investigated by the survey was the impact of social environment on smoking habits of adolescents. It turns out, that the number of smoking adolescents of smoking parents is twice as high as those of non-smoking parents. These children are far more likely to have their first try. Nevertheless, children of smoking parents (in spite of their higher smoker rates) are much more aware of nicotine addiction than the others. Therefore, there is higher willingness to quit smoking among them. The school type of probands plays a quite important role as well. There is a much higher prevalence of smoking among children attending technical high schools (42,0%) and vocational training schools (57,4%) in comparison to general high schools. Smoking is less viewed as a bad habit in technical high schools and vocational training schools. Additionally, the attendance of these schools, oppose to the general smoking restriction in public areas and restaurants the most. Finally