Open AccessAWARENESS ON CONSEQUENCES OF AND ATTITUDE TOWARDS TOBACCO USE AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS FROM SOMALIA STUDYING IN DHAKA BANGLADESH
Author(s) -
Asad Aden Abdi,
Harun- Ar-Rashid
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
education, sustainability and society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2617-9415
DOI - 10.26480/ess.02.2021.54.57
Subject(s) - somali , tobacco control , positive attitude , tobacco use , environmental health , medicine , public health , psychology , population , social psychology , nursing , philosophy , linguistics
Background: Tobacco use is a global epidemic among young people. As with adults, it poses a serious health threat to youth and young adults in the United States and has significant implications for this nation’s public and economic health in the future (Perry et al. 1994; Kessler 1995). In Somalia, there has been a rapid increase in the prevalence of smoking among the younger generation. Every effort needs to be made to stop the uptake of smoking among this category. Objectives: This study focused on Awareness on consequences of and attitude towards tobacco use Among University Students from Somalia, the study explored the students’ level of awareness in relation to tobacco products and their attitudes towards smoking as well as their smoking habits. Methodology: A questionnaire based survey was carried out among 180 university students from Somalia in Dhaka city of Bangladesh. A cross sectional, descriptive study was carried out to investigate awareness on consequences of and attitude of tobacco use among Somali students studying in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Results: During the study, it was found that 81% respondents Smoked Cigarette, 59.4% were in the age range of 16- 20,58.3% smoke due to peer influence,67.7% of the students did not heard or seen anti-tobacco campaign for the last 30 days, Most of students 72.2% did not discuss the dangers of smoking with their teachers, Among the students 48.3% believe that smoking cause cancer of the lung and esophagus,92.0% of the students agreed that participating health programs related to danger of tobacco use will reduce smoking, In this study, generally it was found (80%) of the Somali students had some awareness on tobacco use, on the other hand It was found that (60%) of the Somali students had some attitude on tobacco use. Conclusion: This study concludes that smoking behavior is still present among male students. The study therefore recommends the need for concerted efforts from government, teachers and parents to educate and protect students from easy access to cigarettes and exposure to tobacco smoke.