Factors Influencing Intermittent Smoking in Male and Female Students in Korea

Background/Objectives: To evaluate influential factors associated with intermittent smoking in male and female students in Korea. Methods/Statistical Analysis: This study is the second analytic research on the 2014 10th adolescents’ health behavior online raw data. The participants in this study were 35,904 high school students. Collected data were statistically analyzed using a Rao- Scott Chi-Square test and a logistic regression analysis. Findings: For male students, influential factors were domicile, the perceived economic status of a household, and the undertaking of physical activities; while for female students, influential factors were having family members who smoke, perceived levels of happiness, and having suicidal ideas. In particular, a detailed analysis of the influential factors showed that having friends who smoke and alcohol use was most strong influential factors. Moreover, a common influential factor for both male and female students was feelings of despair, which can lead to depression and possibly to having suicidal ideas. Applications/Improvement: Consideration of gender is important in smoking cessation programs for intermittent smoker. It is also necessary to provide programs to prevent depression in intermittent smoking adolescents.