Relationship between Tobacco Consumption and Other Risk Behaviors to School Rules and Regulations among Final Year Primary School Pupils in Kitui Central Division, Kenya
Abstract
Purpose of the study: The objective of the study was to determine the relationship between tobacco consumption and other risk behaviors to school rules and regulations among final year primary school pupils in Kitui Central Division.
Problem statement: Before the Tobacco bill of 2007, the basic epidemiological information on tobacco abuse and its effects in Kenya has been lacking. Despite the bill and having designated smoking zones, the tobacco users continue to abuse it by smoking in public. Further, the sale of single cigarettes which make it more accessible to children. The media outlets are inundated with advertising information whose purpose is to entice Kenyans and especially the young and women to start using tobacco products. The true state of behavioral risk factors associated with smoking among the young, their perceptions and attitudes on the effects of smoking on their health and life is however not known. In Kitui Central Division, has also seen some reported instances of lateness to school and to home by teachers and parents despite pupils leaving the various places at the right time. Investigation revealed that some pupils were being used as drug transporters.
Study Methodology: The study was conducted in Primary schools in Kitui Central Division using a questionnaire administered to 470 primary school pupils aged 13 to 15 years under supervision in the classroom. Prevalence estimates of lifetime smoking and use of smokeless tobacco were calculated using frequencies and percentages.
Results of the study: The results indicated that a total of 14% had experimented with tobacco, 7% with smoking and 7% with smokeless tobacco. The study concluded that most of the pupils investigated admitted (74%) of pupils who smoke are violent and withdrawn to their fellow pupils, (96%) are disobedient to teachers, academic performance is very poor (86%), generally appear very shabby and untidy (34%), while most have bulging red eyes (59%), do not do assignment given by teachers (91%), whereas (95%) and (68%) do not attend school regularly and complains are brought to school by both parents and community about them respectively.
Conclusion and recommendations: Pupils are mostly influenced by peers and mass media and receive health related information from a variety of sources but mostly from the teachers hence this calls for teachers to be trained in guidance and counseling in order to handle this crisis.
Key words: Tobacco Consumption, Risk Behaviors, Primary School Pupils, School Rules and Regulations & Kitui Central Division.
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