2004-12-31-世界卫生组织-2005_GYTS_Fact_Sheet_Egypt_1页_38kb

Egypt GYTS Summary

Core Content

The Egypt Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) is a school-based study conducted in 2005, targeting students in grades 2nd prep, 3rd prep, and 1st secondary (ages 13-15). It aimed to assess the prevalence of tobacco use and the factors influencing youth smoking behavior. The survey employed a two-stage cluster sampling method to ensure representation across three regions of Egypt, with a total of 2,898 students participating.

Main Findings

Prevalence of Tobacco Use

• Ever smoked cigarettes: 13.3% (Boy = 19.0%, Girl = 5.6%)
• Current tobacco use: 12.6% (Boy = 16.0%, Girl = 7.6%)
• Current cigarette smoking: 4.0% (Boy = 5.9%, Girl = 1.4%)
• Current use of other tobacco products: 10.1% (Boy = 12.3%, Girl = 6.7%)
• Likelihood of initiation: 18.3% of never smokers are likely to start smoking next year

Knowledge and Attitudes

• Perception of smoking attractiveness: 23.1% of boys and 18.4% of girls think smokers look more attractive.
• Perception of social acceptance: 28.1% of boys and 19.7% of girls think smokers have more friends.

Access and Availability

• Home smoking: 19.8% of current smokers usually smoke at home.
• Store purchases: 42.6% buy cigarettes in stores.
• Age restrictions: 88.2% of students who bought cigarettes were not refused due to age.

Exposure to Secondhand Smoke (SHS)

• Home exposure: 38.7% of students live in homes where others smoke in their presence.
• Outdoor exposure: 43.7% are exposed to smoke in places outside the home.
• Family smoking: 54.0% have at least one parent who smokes.
• Peer smoking: 7.8% have most or all friends who smoke.
• Awareness of harm: 72.3% believe secondhand smoke is harmful to them.
• Support for smoke-free policies: 87.5% think smoking should be banned in public places.

Cessation Intentions

• Desire to quit: 78.7% of current smokers want to stop smoking.
• Past attempts: 68.1% tried to quit in the past year.
• Received help: 87.9% have ever received help to quit smoking.

Media and Advertising

• Anti-smoking messages: 71.9% of students saw anti-smoking media messages in the past 30 days.
• Pro-cigarette ads: 57.6% saw pro-cigarette ads on billboards, and 49.8% saw them in newspapers or magazines.
• Brand exposure: 13.2% have an object with a cigarette brand logo.
• Free cigarette offers: 10.4% were offered free cigarettes by tobacco company representatives.

School Curriculum

• Smoking dangers education: 57.7% of students were taught about the dangers of smoking in the past year.
• Reasons for smoking: 47.0% discussed in class why people their age smoke.
• Effects of tobacco use: 49.5% were taught about the effects of tobacco use.

Key Information

• The survey highlights a significant prevalence of tobacco use among Egyptian youth, with a notable gender disparity in smoking rates.
• Exposure to secondhand smoke is widespread, indicating a need for stronger household and community-level interventions.
• A high percentage of students are aware of the health risks associated with smoking and support smoke-free public spaces.
• Most current smokers express a desire to quit, suggesting that cessation support programs could be effective.
• Media plays a dual role, with both anti-smoking messages and pro-cigarette advertising being prevalent.
• School-based education on tobacco use is present but not universal, leaving room for improvement in tobacco prevention efforts.

Main Points

• High prevalence: 12.6% of students currently use tobacco, with 4.0% smoking cigarettes.
• Gender differences: Boys are more likely to smoke than girls, both in ever use and current use.
• SHS exposure: Over one-third of students are exposed to secondhand smoke at home, and more than 40% are exposed in public or other environments.
• Support for tobacco control: A majority of students support banning smoking in public places and recognize the harm of secondhand smoke.
• Media influence: While anti-smoking messages are common, pro-cigarette advertising is also prevalent, potentially affecting youth perceptions.
• School role: Schools play a role in tobacco education, but the coverage is not complete, and more comprehensive programs are needed.

Conclusion

The Egypt GYTS provides critical insights into the extent of tobacco use among youth and the factors that influence it. It underscores the importance of addressing access, exposure to SHS, media influence, and school-based education in developing a comprehensive tobacco control strategy. The data also highlights the potential for effective cessation programs and the need for stronger public health policies to reduce smoking rates and protect young people from tobacco-related harm.