Factors related to smoking among adolescents and youth in an indigenous community in the state of Roraima

Abstract

Objective: To know the factors related to smoking among adolescent and young men in an indigenous community in the state of Roraima. Methods: This was an exploratory, descriptive research with a qualitative approach. The research was carried out in an indigenous community in a municipality of Roraima. The data collection used was a semi-structured interview, and the target audience was adolescents and young men living in the community. The data were transcribed into Excel tables to facilitate the analysis of the results. Results: Participants reported that they have tried and continue to use cigarettes or tobacco because of the influence of friends. And the second strongest factor was the drinking that favors, the desire to consume cigarettes. And the third would be curiosity, the fourth would be desire, and the fifth would be that they smoke because their parents smoke, which facilitates their consumption.  Conclusion: Smoking is high among young people and teenagers, and the main factors related to it are: the influence of friends, to be accepted in the group, as a form of socialization; the use of alcoholic beverages; curiosity, the desire to know something new; the desire for pleasure and relaxation; feeling of power by breaking rules; idleness; smoking parents; family problems, among others.