<![CDATA[Introduction: Smoking and other unhealthy behaviors, such as betel nut chewing, alcohol consumption, and vaping, are potential health problems in the eastern part of Indonesia. It is prevalent among young adolescents in Eastern Indonesia. But data regarding these are still rare, especially among rural Papua residents. This study aims to examine health-impacting behaviors, such as smoking and betel nut chewing, among junior high school students in Rural Sorong, West Papua. This study also evaluates the correlation between the adolescent's knowledge about the dangers of smoking and smoking behavior. Methods: This study was conducted on Public Junior High School 6 at Klamono District, Rural Sorong, West Papua. All subjects answered the questionnaire based on the Global Youth Tobacco Survey Questionnaire-Indonesian version. Results: The prevalence of cigarette smoking (29.7%), betel nut chewing (64.4%), alcohol drinking (14.4%), and vaping behavior (10.2%) among subjects was high. The study also showed a correlation between students’ knowledge about the dangers of smoking and smoking behavior. Conclusion: Cigarette smoking, betel nut chewing, alcohol drinking, and vaping are high among junior high school students in rural Sorong, West Papua, and could pose potential health problems in the future.]]>
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