J Prev Med Public Health.  2018 Jan;51(1):51-58. 10.3961/jpmph.17.146.

Peer Smoking and Smoking-related Beliefs Among College Students in Bangladesh

• Kamimura A
• Ahmmad Z
• Pye M
• Gull B

• KMID: 2403694
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.17.146

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Smoking is a significant public health issue in Bangladesh. The purpose of this study was to examine peer smoking and smoking-related beliefs among college students in Bangladesh.
METHODS
College students at two universities in Dhaka, Bangladesh participated in a self-administered survey in May and June 2017.
RESULTS
First, being a current or former smoker is associated with lower levels of beliefs among respondents that they would not smoke even with smoker friends or nervousness, and lower levels of intentions that they would not smoke, while current smokers and former smokers have different smoking-related beliefs. Second, having smoker friends is associated with lower levels of intentions that they would not smoke. Third, higher levels of normative beliefs that it is important not to smoke are associated with higher levels of beliefs that they would not smoke even with smoker friends or nervousness, higher levels of intentions that they would not smoke, and higher levels of avoidance of smoking.
CONCLUSIONS
Smoking-related beliefs and perceived norms in individuals' social networks are important components in promoting tobacco cessation in Bangladesh. But it is challenging to prevent or intervene in smoking because of the high rates of smoking in this country and the high prevalence of smokers in individuals' social networks. Future studies should examine the most effective interventions to combat smoking in high-smoking social networks, such as using mobile apps or social media, and evaluate the effectiveness of such interventions.

Keyword

Peer influence; Smoking prevention; Social networks; College students; Bangladesh

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Bangladesh*
Friends
Humans
Intention
Mobile Applications
Peer Influence
Prevalence
Public Health
Smoke*
Smoking*
Social Media
Surveys and Questionnaires
Tobacco Use Cessation
Smoke