Abstract
Background: The use of tobacco is a significant global public health issue. According to the WHO, tobacco use is a significant risk factor for many diseases. It causes more than 8 million deaths per year, with a disproportionate impact on low- and middle-income countries. Therefore, this systematic review was conducted to identify the factors influencing tobacco use among youth in low-income, lower-middle-income, and upper-middle-income countries.
Study design: A system review.
Method: The review followed the PRISMA guidelines, and the protocol was registered on PROSPERO(CRD42023430552). Data sources: PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and ProQuest were utilized. We analyzed cross-sectional data from participants aged 15-24. Original full-text articles published between 2015 and 2023. Out of the 2892 studies, 20 were included in this review after two reviewers confirmed the eligibility criteria.
Results: The average age of the participants was (M:19.45, SD:1.686). Most of the studies were conducted in lower-middle and upper-middle-income countries. Frequently reported influences were at the individual and social level factors, such as demographic, economic, psychological, attitude and knowledge, individual behavioral factors, parental education, family member tobacco use, stressful life events, and social networks. At the environmental level, factors include secondhand smoke exposure, community context, media channels, and access to tobacco.
Conclusion: The study showed a significant association between youth tobacco use and individual, social, and environmental level factors. Consequently, specific interventions targeting these factors should be deployed to mitigate youth tobacco use in various socioeconomic settings.