Differences in tobacco smoking prevalence and frequency between adolescent Palestine refugee and non-refugee populations in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank: cross-sectional analysis of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey

摘要

Evidence is conflicting as to the whether tobacco smoking prevalence is higher in refugee than non-refugee populations. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence and frequency of tobacco smoking in Palestine refugee and non-refugee adolescent populations in the Middle East. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) conducted in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank among adolescent Palestine refugees and non-refugees. Age- and sex-adjusted regression models assessed the association between refugee status and current (past-30?day) tobacco use prevalence and frequency. Prevalence estimates for current tobacco smoking were similar between Palestine refugee and non-refugee groups in Jordan (26.7?% vs. 24.0?%), Lebanon (39.4?% vs. 38.5?%), and the West Bank (39.5?% vs. 38.4?%). In Syria, Palestine refugees had nearly twice the odds of current tobacco smoking compared to non-refugees (23.2?% vs. 36.6?%, AOR 1.96, 95?% CI 1.46–2.62). Palestine refugees consumed more cigarettes per month than non-refugees in Lebanon (β 0.57, 95?% CI 0.17–0.97) and Palestine refugees consumed more waterpipe tobacco per month than non-refugees in Syria (β 0.40, 95?% CI 0.19–0.61) and the West Bank (β 0.42, 95?% CI 0.21–0.64). Current tobacco smoking prevalence is in excess of 20?% in both adolescent Palestine refugee and non-refugee populations in Middle Eastern countries, however Palestine refugees may smoke tobacco more frequently than non-refugees. Comparison of simple prevalence estimates may therefore mask important differences in tobacco use patterns within population groups.