Changing pattern of smoking behavior among Mongolian adolescents: Results from the GYTS (2003-2019)

• Published in: European journal of public health Vol. 31; no. Supplement_3
• Main Authors: Badarch, J, Paulik, E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Oxford University Press 20.10.2021; Oxford Publishing Limited (England)
• Subjects: Adolescents; Chi-square test; Cigarette smoking; Data analysis; Epidemics; Global health; Mass media effects; Messages; Pattern analysis; Polls & surveys; Population policy; Public health; Regression analysis; Smoking; Software; Students; Teenagers; Tobacco; Mongolia
• ISSN: 1101-1262; 1464-360X
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckab165.546

Background Tobacco use has become a global health concern. Most part of smokers initiate smoking during their adolescence. This study aims to analyze the changing pattern of cigarette smoking among adolescents in Mongolia. Methods The retrospective data analysis is based on four repeated national cross-sectional Global Youth Tobacco Surveys (GYTS) conducted in 2003, 2007, 2014 and 2019. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaires. The sample represented the students aged 12-16 years. Pearson's chi-squared tests and logistic regression analyses were performed by using IBM SPSS version 24 software. Results Altogether, 17,458 students participated in the four surveys. There was an overall decrease in the prevalence of ever smokers (40.4% in 2003, 21.2% in 2019; p < 0.001), current smokers (9.2% in 2003, 4.4% in 2019), and planning of cessation (84.0% in 2003, 62.9% in 2019; p < 0.001). Smoking related knowledge has been changed, e.g., the prevalence of students who thought smoking helps people feel more comfortable decreased from 28.3% to 7.2%. From the point of the media effects the percentage of students who saw anti-tobacco message in the media significantly decreased (from 84.0% to 62.9%, p < 0.001). Additionally, the percentage of participants who were exposed to tobacco smoke at home decreased from 64.1% to 42.6% (p < 0.001) between 2003 and 2019. The multivariate logistic regression analyses by years showed that males, those who were exposed by smoke at home, who thought that smoking makes people more comfortable were more likely to be current smokers; no association was found with anti-tobacco messages. Conclusions Despite of the implementation of tobacco control policies, smoking is a major problem in the Mongolian population. The findings of GYTSs provide information to the development of an adolescent specific national tobacco control program, which will help to combat the tobacco epidemic. Key messages A positive trend of smoking behavior among adolescents has been demonstrated in Mongolia. The findings help to develop a comprehensive adolescent specific school-based tobacco control program.