BACKGROUND: There are limited studies that have explored smoking predictors among Ugandan adolescents over time. This study investigated factors influencing smoking among Ugandan adolescents between 2007 and 2011. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study using secondary data from 2007 and 2011 Ugandan Global Youth Tobacco Surveys (n=7,505). Data analysis included chi-square and multivariate logistic regression. The level of statistical significance was set at p< 0.05. RESULTS: Of the participants, 49.9% (n=3,746) were smokers. Over time, there was a reduction in the prevalence of smoking among boys (10.8% vs. 6.1%; p=0.01), but not among girls (5.0% vs. 4.8%; p=0.48). After controlling for potential confounders, having both parents smoking (OR=7.52; 95%CI: 1.23-45.91), close friends smoking (OR= 6.59, 95%CI: 3.70-11.74) and exposure to second-hand smoke at home (OR= 3.69, 95%CI: 2.0-6.74) were associated with increased odds of smoking among all Ugandan adolescents. CONCLUSION: Given the observed gender differences in smoking trends, it is recommended that more attention be given to motivating adolescent girls not to take up smoking or, for those who have already started smoking, to quit. Furthermore, in addition to greater enforcement of the ban in public smoking, there is a need for public education to promote the voluntary adoption of smoke-free homes. / Dissertation (MPH)--University of Pretoria, 2014. / tm2015 / School of Health Systems and Public Health (SHSPH) / MPH / Unrestricted

Tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti mokinių savęs vertinimo bei priklausomybę sukeliančių medžiagų paplitimo bei vartojimo mokinių tarpe sąsajas. Tikimasi, kad mokiniams pradėjus save geriau vertinti bei pasitikėti savimi, mažės jų tolerancija priklausomybę sukeliančių medžiagų vartojimui bei formuosis neigiamas požiūris į šių medžiagų vartojimą aplinkoje. Taikytas kiekybinis tyrimo metodas, panaudojant GYTS (Global Youth Tobacco Survey) klausimyną, sveikatos testą (Goštautas; 1999), savęs vertinimui nustatyti buvo panaudota A. Goštauto, A. Pakulos, L. Grinevičienės sudaryta metodika. 2007 metais pirminiame tyrime dalyvavo 721 mokinys, pakartotiniame tyrime (2008 metais) dalyvavo 648 mokiniai. Abiejuose tyrimuose dalyvavusių 457 mokinių: 199 berniukų ir 258 mergaičių, duomenys ir buvo naudojami tikrinant magistrinio darbo hipotezes. Tyrimo rezultatai parodė, kad didžiausia pasitikėjimo savimi įtaka priklausomybę sukeliančių medžiagų vartojimo bei požiūrio kitimams stebima vyresnių nei 16 metų berniukų su didesniu pasitikėjimu savimi grupėje ir berniukų su mažesniu savęs vertinimu iki 16 metų amžiaus grupėje. Tuo tarpu mergaičių tarpe didžiausia pasitikėjimo savimi įtaka matoma 14 – 15 metų amžiaus grupėje su mažesniu savęs vertinimu. Be to, mergaičių tarpe vyrauja didesnis nepasitikėjimas savimi bei savo jėgomis, keliami didesni reikalavimai sau. / The aim of the research to measure ties between students’ self-evaluation and spread and usage of substances that cause dependence. Hopefully, if students started to evaluate themselves better and feel bigger self-confidence they will feel less tolerance for these substances and negative attitude towards the usage of them will be formed. Quantative method of the survey was used, while using GYTS questionnaire, health test (Gostautas; 1999) for self-evaluation methods of A. Gostautas, A. Pakula, L. Grineviciene were used. 721 students participated in the initial survey in 200 7. In the second survey 648 students participated. 457 students participated in both surveys: 199 boys and 258 girls, information from the surveys was used to check the hypotheses of the master’s work. Results of the survey showed that the biggest influence of self-confidence in usage of substances that cause dependence and the changes in attitude was noticed among the boys from 16 and among the ones with lower self-evaluation until 16. While the influence of self-confidence is noticeable among the girls at the age of 14-15 with lower self-confidence. In addition, girls don’t trust themselves and their strength and are more demanding for themselves than boys.