Predicting Prevention of Cigarette Smoking in Youth: Using Multi-Theory Model (MTM)

Abstract Background: Cigarette smoking (CS) is the most important cause of death and disability in the world and is a complex behavior that is affected by various factors. This study was aimed to test the ability of MTM to predict preventing CS in youth.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 230 youth who were volunteer to do military services as a soldier were selected by simple random sampling in 2019, western Iran. Data collection were performed by using questionnaire demographic characteristics and MTM constructs of CS. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and Hosmer–Lemeshow test in SPSS 20 software.Results: In this study, the Mean (± SD) age of the participants was 21.13 (±0.89). The prevalence of current cigarette smoking (CCS) and ever cigarette smoking (ECS) was 12.2% and 23%, respectively. The results of the logistic regression test showed that ECS (p< 0.001) and having a family member smoker (p=0.026) were predictor factors for CCS. Sustenance of preventing CS behavior was predicted by constructs of emotional transformation (p=0/006), practice for change (p=0=022), and changes in the social environment (p< 0.001).Conclusions: MTM shows that it is a reliable and useful theory in the sustenance of preventing CS behavior in youth who volunteer to do military services as soldiers. Therefore, this robust theory should be tested in designing, implementing, and evaluating of CS prevention interventions.