Parenting Style, Residence, and Glue Sniffing among Primary School Children in Sibolga, North Sumatera

Background: Glue sniffing refers to the practice of sniffing the fumes of glue containing toluene or other solvents for the intoxicating and euphoric effects, it may cause damage to the brain, liver, kidneys, etc. It is a bad behavior and is hazardous particularly to child health. Previous studies had reported the use of glue sniffing and its problems as encountered by street children. Pleasure, numbness, warmth, hallucination, unconsciousness, disturbance and disappointment were the major health problems encountered by the children. Headache, nausea, vomiting, chest pain, palpitation and loss of loco motors skills were the immediate health problems encountered during their sniffing. This study aimed to describe associations of parenting style and residence with glue sniffing among primary school children in Sibolga, North Sumatera. Subjects and Methods: This was a case-control study conducted in Sibolga, North Sumatera. A sample of 60 primary school students was selected for this study consisting of 30 students who sniff glue and 30 students who did not sniff glue. The dependent variable was glue sniffing. The independent variables were parenting style and residence. The data were collected by questionnaire, interview, and direct observation. The data were analyzed by a multiple logistic regression. Results: Glue sniffing was associated with permissive parenting style (OR= 8.50; 95% CI= 5.10 to 16.54; p<0.001) and living in unfavorable residence area (OR= 4.21; 95% CI= 2.25 to 5.20; p= 0.027). Conclusion: Glue sniffing is associated with permissive parenting style and living in unfavorable residence area. Attention need to be drawn for the authorities to the glue sniffing health hazards and to the necessity of collaborative societal works for containment of this bad behavior. Keywords: glue sniffing, parenting style, residence, children