Smoking-Related Knowledge, Attitude, Self-Esteem and Social Support among Children and Adolescents in Gyeonggi-do, Korea

Background/Objectives: Smoking begins with curiosity and affects the next quantity. This study aims to examine the smoking-related behaviors of children and adolescents as influenced by knowledge, attitude, self-esteem and social support. Methods/Statistical Analysis: This study was based on data acquired from the elementary to high schools in Gyeonggi- do, Korea, which was conducted from December 1 to 31, 2015. We conducted to analysis for 6,112, excepting who did not respond to a question. We analyzed chi-square test, t-test and regression to assess the association between smokers and non-smokers and compare with smoking-related knowledge, attitude, self-esteem and social support. Findings: Our study found that 10.9% were smokers among students responded in the survey items. Also, male students smoked more than female students and high school students than elementary school students or middle school students. Smoking-related behavior was associated with smoking-related knowledge, attitude and self-esteem and social support. Smokers suffered from stress higher than non-smokers. On the other hand, smokers had subjective health and happiness lower than non- smokers. There were lots of non-smokers than smokers in the survey items. In addition, there is a close relevance between stress, subjective health and happiness statistically. Improvements/Applications: The government set up a non-smoking policy, such smoking prevention program and event may focus on modifying attitudes towards smoking and providing a cigarette-free environment near school.