Prevalence of Tobacco Use among Secondary School Students in Jos

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at determining the prevalence of tobacco use among secondary school students in Jos Metropolis. METHOD: It was a cross- sectional study involving 69 secondary school students. Self and interviewer’s administered questionnaires were used to collect data on tobacco use. RESULT: About half 252 (53.7%) of the students were males while 217 (46.3%) were females. The location of the surveyed students showed that 311 (66.3%) were from urban secondary schools while 158 (33.7%) were from rural secondary schools. On the use of tobacco, 64(13.6%) students were tobacco users, giving a prevalence rate of 13.6%. Tobacco use in private schools showed that 19(70.4%) and 8(29.6%) were tobacco users from urban and rural setting respectively; while in the public schools, 20(54.1%) and 17(45.9%) were tobacco users from urban and rural locations. Tobacco use according to gender showed that 29(78.4%) males and 8(21.6%) females from public secondary schools used tobacco while 19(70.4%) males and 8(29.6%) females from private secondary schools used tobacco. There was an association between tobacco use and gender (p< 0.05). No association was found between tobacco use and location and type of school (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In spite of the hazards involved in tobacco use, a considerable number of the students still indulge in this practice. Health consequences of tobacco use should be addressed, reaching students through a comprehensive school- based program designed to increase student’s knowledge, attitude change, and resistance to tobacco use influence .The study was funded by a grant from RCORTI for Africa, Jos.