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Abstract
Background : Although substantial efforts have been made to curtail smoking in Vietnam, the 2010 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) revealed that the proportion of male adults currently smoking remains high at 47.4%.
Objectives : To determine the level of, and characteristics associated with, knowledge of the health consequences of smoking among Vietnamese adults.
Design : GATS 2010 was designed to survey a nationally representative sample of Vietnamese men and women aged 15 and older drawn from 11,142 households using a two-stage sampling design. Descriptive statistics were calculated and multivariate logistic regression was used to examine associations between postulated exposure factors (age, education, access to information, ethnic group etc.) and knowledge on health risks.
Results : General knowledge on the health risks of active smoking (AS) and exposure to second hand smoke (SHS) was good (90% and 83%, respectively). However, knowledge on specific diseases related to tobacco smoking (stroke, heart attack, and lung cancer) appeared to be lower (51.5%). Non-smokers had a significantly higher likelihood of demonstrating better knowledge on health risks related to AS (OR 1.6) and SHS (OR 1.7) than smokers. Adults with secondary education, college education or above also had significantly higher levels knowledge of AS/SHS health risks than those with primary education (AS: ORs 1.6, 1.7, and 1.9, respectively, and SHS: ORs 2.4, 3.9, and 5.7 respectively). Increasing age was positively associated with knowledge of the health consequences of SHS, and access to information was significantly associated with knowledge of AS/SHS health risks (ORs 2.3 and 1.9 respectively). Otherwise, non-Kinh ethnic groups had significantly less knowledge on health risks of AS/SHS than Kinh ethnic groups.
Conclusions : It may be necessary to target tobacco prevention programs to specific subgroups including current smokers, adults with low education, non-Kinh ethnics in order to increase their knowledge on health risks of smoking. Comprehensive messages and/or images about specific diseases related to AS/SHS should be conveyed using of different channels and modes specific to local cultures to increase knowledge on smoking health consequences for general population.
Acknowledgements
Since the beginning of the 2-year survey, we have received very close and valuable technical assistance from CDC in the development of questionnaires, sample design, data analysis, as well as standardized GATS methodology and protocols in a series of manuals and guidelines. Our appreciation goes out to CDC for these valuable contributions.
We also acknowledge and highly appreciate the strong commitment, leadership, and support from Ministry of Health and Ministry of Planning and Investment for completing this survey. Excellent cooperation from the Vietnam Steering Committee on Smoking and Health, the GSO, and Hanoi Medical University has contributed to the success of this project.
Collaboration and support from related governmental and non-governmental organizations and tobacco control experts are also highly appreciated.
Our sincere thanks go to the World Health Organization, from Headquarters to Regional Offices to Country levels, for facilitating GATS implementation, providing technical and management assistance, financial support, and coordinating national and international partners.
The most grateful acknowledgment goes to the hard work of field supervisors, field interviewers, and all respondents. Without their contributions, our work would never have been possible.
