Smoking among Romanian adolescents: do the gender differences exist?
Lucia M Lotrean1, Ilse Mesters, Carmen Ionut
1Department of Environmental Health, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, România. llotrean@umfcluj.ro
Pneumologia (Bucharest, Romania)
|January 14, 2010
Summary
Romanian adolescent boys smoke more than girls, with boys believing smoking aids relaxation and girls using it for weight control. Prevention programs need tailored approaches for gender-specific smoking motivations and self-efficacy.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Smoking prevalence among adolescents is a significant public health concern.
- Understanding gender-specific beliefs and behaviors related to adolescent smoking is crucial for effective interventions.
- Previous research indicates potential gender differences in smoking motivations and psychosocial factors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gender differences in smoking beliefs and behaviors among Romanian adolescents.
- To identify specific motivations for smoking in adolescent boys versus girls.
- To explore differences in self-efficacy and peer influence related to smoking cessation and initiation between genders.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 473 adolescents aged 15-17 years from five senior high schools in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
- Data collected via a written questionnaire assessing smoking-related behavior, beliefs, self-efficacy, and peer influence.
- Statistical analysis to identify significant differences in smoking prevalence and related factors between genders.
Main Results:
- Overall smoking prevalence was 24.5%, with significantly higher rates in boys (32.2%) than girls (20.9%).
- Girls smoked more for weight control; boys smoked more for relaxation.
- Smoking girls had lower self-efficacy in handling emotional situations without smoking compared to smoking boys.
- Non-smoking girls reported lower self-efficacy to maintain non-smoking status when upset and higher intention to smoke than non-smoking boys.
- Non-smoking boys experienced greater peer pressure to smoke.
Conclusions:
- Gender-specific approaches are necessary for smoking prevention and reduction programs targeting Romanian adolescents.
- Interventions should address the perceived benefits of smoking for weight control in girls and relaxation in boys, offering healthier alternatives.
- Enhancing self-efficacy to cope with emotional distress and strengthening resistance to peer influence are vital for both genders, with particular attention to girls' emotional coping strategies.
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