ABSTRACT

Cigarette Smoking is the act of inhaling and exhaling the fumes of burning plant material.

Smoking is known to be a prominent public health problem which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality rate but can totally be abolished by preventive measures. It is also one of the most avoidable risks for non-communicable diseases. Although the rate of cigarette consumption is decreasing in developed countries, there is a continuous increase in the consumption rate in developing countries with a rate of 3.4% yearly. The objective of this study was to assess knowledge on the factors and effects of smoking on adolescent’s health at Ndongo, Molyko Buea.

A community based cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2021 to June 2022 in  Molyko Buea. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. The data obtained was analyzed manually and input in the computer using excel 2016 and presented in frequency tables.

A total of 70 participants were recruited and among them, (70%) were males and 30% females. The mean age was 16.21±SD 2.173 years. Participants who cited that adolescents smoke because they want to belong (84%),who see smoking as a means to relief emotions (60%), 95% think adolescents smoke because they want to socialize, 90% smoke because they find themselves among smokers, 80% cited that adolescents smoke because they want to be stronger and powerful,75% agreed that all tobacco products are dangerous, 95% cited bad breath and persistent coughing as immediate effects of smoking ,75% cited lung cancer as long term effects.

In conclusion, cigarette smoking constitutes an important or significant health problem among adolescents in Ndongo, Molyko Buea with majority of them knowing the health effects of cigarettes but still consume it. Peer pressure, having a friend who smoke and smoking in other to socialize are highly associated with smoking behavior in this community.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Smoking is known to be a prominent public health problem which can lead to significant morbidity and mortality rate but can totally be abolished by preventive measures (1).The range of mortality and morbidity involves almost all the major organs of the human body including respiratory, cardiovascular, renal diseases and cancerous involvement of various body organs with a prominent share of lung cancer (1). According to WHO, (2), thousands are dying each day in the globe because of tobacco-related illnesses. Tobacco kills more than 8 million people per year including both smokers and nonsmokers who experience second-hand smoke and more than 7 million of those deaths are results of direct tobacco use while 1.2 million are as a result of non-smokers being exposed to second-hand smoke and about 25% of the world’s population smoke. Cigarette smoking leads to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ of the body and causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, type 2 diabetes, and other chronic health conditions. The impact also extends beyond the smoker. For example, smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of premature birth (being born too early) and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Secondhand smoke also causes stroke, lung cancer, and coronary heart disease in adults. Children who are exposed to secondhand smoke are at increased risk of SIDS, impaired lung function, acute respiratory infections, middle ear disease, and more frequent and severe asthma attacks (3). Adolescents turn to smoke more than adults and older people. They mostly become the victim of this habit when they gain a certain degree of socialization independence and relatively more chances of mingling among young groups. Smoking starts as fun but as time goes, it becomes a habit.

Tobacco was first introduced into Africa in the 16^th century by European traders which was also grown as a trade crop for European consumption. In the mid-20^th century, as the health effects of tobacco became well known, the production and consumption of tobacco decreased through a combination of laws and lower demand in high income countries (HICS) and tobacco is derived from the leaves of a plant with the genus nicotine a plant from the night shade family (4). Consequently, multinational companies have sought markets elsewhere, and in the last 20 years markets have expanded to Africa, where youths are subject to aggressive targeting by the tobacco industry and tobacco cultivation has increased as a cash crop. Over the past 60 years, information has become available on the cultivation and use of tobacco as well as its health, socio-economic and environmental impacts. Despite attempts to control both at the regional and national levels, tobacco is still a highly used product, giving evidence to its high rate of addiction and the amount of marketing and political influence tobacco companies maintain.(1).Africa holds a unique position in tobacco control where prevention can be highly effective in averting much of the tobacco epidemic.

According to Ngahane et al. (5), about 12% of youths (12.8% boys, 10% girls smoke cigarette in Africa including Cameroon, some are exposed to second hand smoking while 29% are exposed to cigarette smoke at home. 80% of adults in Cameroon use tobacco products and rates are higher in men than women. That is 13.9% for men and 4.3% of women smoke and among youths (ages 13-15years) 10% use tobacco products.

 Since there is no tobacco control legislation in Cameroon the prevalence of smoking is low and it has been shown that children who start smoking when they are still small are more likely to smoke as adults in the future than those who begin smoking at an older age. (5). According to Mapa-Tassou et al., (6) tobacco is used in Cameroon in all forms including sniffing, chewing and especially cigarette smoking. The ministry of public health noted a higher percentage (37%) of people who are exposed to second hand smoking in Cameroon. WHO encourages countries to reduce by 25% the probability of dying from non-communicable diseases by 2025 and cessation of tobacco use is one of the main ways to achieve this and also encourages youths who are already smoking to quit and those who have not started smoking not to smoke by creating awareness on the effects of cigarette smoking (6).

1.2 Rationale

Cigarette smoking can affect the general health of adolescents and also change the way they think and behave in the society. It is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the world and potentially harms almost every organ in the body causing diseases to both the smoker and second hand smokers, (these people do not smoke but they inhale smoke from the smokers).(2). It causes diseases such as lung cancer, dental problems, fertility problems, stroke, and diabetes. Peer pressure is the main factor contributing to adolescent smoking. Therefore, carrying out a study in Molyko particularly Ndongo quarter, will help in the assessment of knowledge on the factors and effects of smoking on health since many adolescent smoke in this area which may be due to knowledge deficit on the effects of smoking on their health.

1.3 Research question

• What are the factors that influence smoking among adolescents in Ndongo Quarter?
• What are the effects of smoking on health?

1.4 General objectives

 To assess knowledge on the factors and effects of smoking on adolescents health at Ndongo, Molyko Buea.

1.4.1 Specific objectives

• To identify the factors that influence smoking among adolescents in Ndongo Quarter
• To assess the knowledge of adolescents in Ndongo Quarter on the effects of smoking on their health.