[TimorLesteStudies] Global Youth Tobacco Survey Timor-Leste 2013 available

[Bu Wilson]

*Executive Summary*

 The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS), a component of the Global Tobacco
Surveillance System (GTSS), is a global standard for systematically
monitoring youth tobacco use (smoking and smokeless) and tracking key
tobacco control indicators.

GYTS is a nationally representative school-based survey of students in
grades associated with age 13–15 years and is designed to produce
cross-sectional estimates for each country. GYTS uses a standard core
questionnaire, sample design, and data collection protocol. It assists
countries in fulfilling their obligations under the World Health
Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) to
generate comparable data within and across countries. WHO has developed
MPOWER, a package of selected demand reduction measures contained in the
WHO FCTC.

GYTS uses a global standardized methodology that includes a two-stage
sample design with schools selected proportional to enrollment size. The
classrooms within selected schools are chosen randomly and all students in
selected classes are invited to participate in the survey. The survey uses
a standard global core questionnaire with a set of optional questions that
permits adaptation to meet the needs of the country on tobacco use and key
tobacco control indicators. The questionnaire consists of the following
topics: tobacco use (smoking and smokeless), cessation, secondhand smoke
(SHS), pro- and anti-tobacco media and advertising, access and availability
to obtain tobacco products, and knowledge and attitudes regarding tobacco.
The questionnaire s self-administered; using scannable, paper-based bubble
sheets, and anonymous to ensure confidentiality.

In Timor-Leste, GYTS was conducted by the Ministry of Health in 2013. A
total of 2052 eligible students in grades 8–11 completed the survey, of
which 1908 were aged 13–15 years. The overall response rate of all students
surveyed was 92.8%.

 The findings of this survey indicates that about half (42.4%) overall, and
nearly seven in ten (65.5%) of boys, and two in ten (23.9%) of girls
currently used any tobacco products. Nearly seven in ten students were
exposed to tobacco smoke at home (66.0%) and inside enclosed public places
(69.9%). Nearly eight (82.7%) in ten of current cigarette smokers obtained
cigarettes by buying them from a store, shop, street vendor, or kiosk; and
among current cigarette smokers who bought cigarettes, 46.7% were not
prevented from buying them despite their being minors. Nearly one third
(31.7%) of current cigarette smokers bought cigarettes in a pack, while
over two fifths (44.8%) bought them as individual sticks. Nearly four (79%)
in five students noticed tobacco advertisements or promotions at points of
sale, and the same proportion of students saw anyone using tobacco on
television, videos, or movies (88.6%).

Based on these findings, officials from the ministries of health and
education, directors of primary and secondary schools, district health
focal points, and district focal points of NCD made the following
recommendations: (1) to formulate national tobacco control legislation
soonest banning smoking in public places and complete ban on tobacco
advertisements; (2) to establish comprehensive NCD/tobacco control policy
under health promotion activities and national-level anti-tobacco campaign
in schools of Timor-Leste; (3) to sensitize teachers not to use tobacco in
schools or in community places, as they are role models for students; (4)
to train teachers on tobacco control and tobacco cessation; (5) to prepare
IEC materials targeted to youth and disseminate throughout the country; (6)
to increase taxation on tobacco import, so that tobacco products are not
affordable to youth; (7) to ban tobacco sale to and by minors; and (8) to
take crop substitution initiatives for local tobacco control.

http://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/10665/164337/1/9789290224778.pdf


Dr Bu V.E. Wilson
Principal Consultant
Hau Meni & Associates
Postal Address: 5/15 Essex Street, Fremantle, WA 6160, Australia
Courier Address: The Gardens Residence, Bebonuk, Dili, Timor-Leste

T: Timor-Leste +670 7814 1774 (work)/+670 7718 7743(home)
T: Australia +61 (0) 407 087 086
E: buvewilson at gmail.com/bu at haumeni.com
S: hau.meni
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