Dataset Information

Tobacco use patterns and attitudes in Singapore young male adults serving military national service: a qualitative study.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES:To explore tobacco use patterns and factors influencing tobacco use in young Singaporean men serving military national service. METHODS:A qualitative study using in-depth telephone interviews and maximum variation sampling was conducted with 29 Singaporean men who have completed their national service in 2017-2018. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. RESULTS:More than half (51.7%) of the participants started smoking before age 18, with a mean age of smoking initiation at 16 years. At the individual level, the two main contributing factors to tobacco use were smoking as a coping mechanism, and physical or psychological addiction. Financial concern was reported as the key motivation to quit smoking. At the interpersonal level, peers and superiors played an influential role in the smoking habits of the participants. When superiors took additional measures against smoking behaviours, it contributed to their decision to smoke less. At the organisation level, some unintended consequences were reported as a result of the strict tobacco control measures implemented by the military, such as the designated smoking areas within the camps become regarded as an area for socialisation. CONCLUSION:Informed by the Socio-Ecological Model, this study has provided insights into the multifaceted and interactive effect of individual, interpersonal and organisational factors that influence tobacco use in young men serving military national service in the Singapore and Asian context. The study insights provided an understanding of the local context before designing programmes or changing regulations to further discourage tobacco usage in the military.

SUBMITTER: Tan C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7523193 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Tobacco use patterns and attitudes in Singapore young male adults serving military national service: a qualitative study.

Tan Clive C Lin Lavinia L Lim Mervyn M Ong Seeu Kun SK Wong Mee-Lian ML Lee Jeong Kyu JK

BMJ open 20200928 9

<h4>Objectives</h4>To explore tobacco use patterns and factors influencing tobacco use in young Singaporean men serving military national service.<h4>Methods</h4>A qualitative study using in-depth telephone interviews and maximum variation sampling was conducted with 29 Singaporean men who have completed their national service in 2017-2018. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.<h4>Results</h4>More than half (51.7%) of the participants started smoking before age 18, with a mean age of smoki ...[more]

PMID: 32988949

Similar Datasets

Project description:ObjectivesAlcohol drinking prevalence in Korea is higher than in other countries and is associated with various social and health problems. Korean culture tends to be tolerant of alcohol drinking and to regard it as an important medium for maintaining good interpersonal relationships in one's social life. Although alcohol drinking is a means of relieving stress, especially among soldiers, who engage in more binge drinking than civilians, there is lack of research focused on problem drinking among soldiers. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the extent of problem drinking across all military services and to identify factors associated with problem drinking by military service type.DesignSecondary data analysis.SettingDataset of the Military Health Survey in 2015.ParticipantsAltogether, 2252 male professional military personnel were included in this study.Main outcome measureProblem drinking in this study was defined as at-risk drinking and alcohol abuse or dependence with an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification-Korean (AUDIT-K) score of 10 points or higher.ResultsThe average AUDIT-K score was 7.38±4.10 points. The prevalence of problem drinking was 16.4% for the Army, 34.5% for the Navy and 32.1% for the Air Force. Factors associated with problem drinking for each military service type were sleep satisfaction (OR 2.33, 95% CI 1.284 to 4.236) and family support (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.487 to 0.904) in the Army, smoking status (OR 1.85, 95% CI 1.130 to 3.039) and sleep satisfaction (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.142 to 4.574) in the Navy and marital status (OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.382 to 0.951), smoking (past smokers and non-smokers OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.593 to 4.973, current smokers and non-smokers OR 1.68, 95% CI 1.114 to 2.544), subjective oral health (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.011 to 3.297) and family support (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.45 to 0.88) in the Air Force.ConclusionWhen implementing health projects to address drinking problems, it is necessary to ensure that service-type-specific factors are considered for integrated management.

Dataset Information

Tobacco use patterns and attitudes in Singapore young male adults serving military national service: a qualitative study.

Publications

Tobacco use patterns and attitudes in Singapore young male adults serving military national service: a qualitative study.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets