Tobacco use among youths and associated factors in Wakiso district, Uganda: A cross-sectional study.

Abstract

Background Tobacco use increases the risk of death from many diseases, including ischemic heart disease, cancer, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, and other fatal and non-fatal diseases. Efforts have been invested towards cessation of tobacco use among youths aged 18-35 years. However, limited population based data is available on tobacco use in Wakiso district among youths. Therefore, this study aimed to determine prevalence and factors associated with tobacco use among youths aged 18-35 years in Wakiso district Uganda. Methods Data from a Population-based survey in Wakiso district collected between October 2019 and September 2020 were used to determine prevalence of tobacco use and associated factors. A cross-sectional design was employed. This study used multivariable logistic regression to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between tobacco use and various factors among youths aged (18-35) years in Wakiso district Uganda. Results A total of 1,092 participants were enrolled of whom 631(57.8%) were females. The mean age was 25.8 (SD=4.8) years. A total of 35 (3.2 %) reported current tobacco use while 64(5.9%) ever used tobacco. The mean age smoking initiation was 20.6 (SD= 5.3) years. In the multivariable analysis, age groups 25-29 years (aOR= 3.66, [95% CI: 1.15, 11.65]) and 30-35 years (aOR= 4.26, [95% CI; 1.32, 13.72]) were more likely to smoke compared to those under 25 years). Other positively associated factors included alcohol users (aOR= 4.86, [95% CI: 2.01, 11.74]), HIV positive status (aOR= 5.43, [95% CI: 1.86,15.86]), living with friends or relatives who smoke (aOR=9.93, [95% CI: 1.86,15.86]), and being male (aOR=4.50 [95% CI; 1.82, 11.13]).

Conclusion Overall tobacco use among youths aged 18-35 years is low compared to national prevalence of 9%. However, the focus should be on males, older youths, alcohol users, and HIV-positive youths including those living with friends or relatives who smoke.