LAUSR

ABSTRACT Increases in smoking behavior among people in the community can cause health problems. Current smoking behavior changes in the younger generation and spreads to children. This condition is a concern for elementary school-age children. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships between risk factors for smoking behavior in primary school-aged children in Karawang. Descriptive research method with cross-sectional design was used; a random sampling technique obtained a sample of 356 respondents aged 9–12 years in Karawang. This study used a smoking behavior questionnaire with validity (0.469–0.872) and reliability (0.92). Data were analyzed using linear correlation and multiple linear regression. The results of study show a relationship between age risk factors for the first-time smoking, family of smokers, and following trends and wanting to be cool with smoking behavior of primary school-age children. Multivariate analysis of multiple linear regression showed that the most dominant factor related to smoking behavior was sex (R square = 0.159). Risk factors for smoking and sex affect smoking behavior in primary school-aged children in Karawang Regency. The findings of this study indicate the need to control risk factors that influence school-age children to start smoking.