Results of a questionnaire about nurse students' smoking habits and knowledges in an Italian teaching school of nursing

Six-hundred and sixty-two nurse students (aged 25.2 ± 4.11 years; 153 were males) answered a self-administered, anonymous questionnaire about smoking habits and knowledges in a large urban Teaching School of Nursing. The overall response rate was 88%. Current smokers were 336 (51%), former smokers 80 (12%). Nurse students claimed to know the dangers of tobacco and nurse training seemed to modify the preferential source of information about tobacco smoking towards medical fonts; however, only a quarter of nurse students considered medical smoking cessation approaches as useful for quitting and advised patients with tobacco-related diseases against soking.     

A comparison of smoking habits, beliefs and attitudes among Tuscan student nurses in 1992 and 1999

Two-hundred-and-fifty students (aged 24 ± 4 years, mean ± SD, females were 75%) attending the first year of training in Florence Nursing School in 1991–1992 and 205 ones (aged 22 ± 4 years; females 83% of the total) in the first year course of Nursing Schools of the Universities of Siena and Florence in 1998–1999 answered the same anonymous, self-administered questionnaire about their smoking habits, beliefs and attitudes. The overall response rate was 92% in 1992 and 88% in 1999. In 1992 and 1999, respectively, ex-smokers were 13 and 11%, current smokers 51 and 43%. Ten percent of nurses who smoked in 1992 and 16% in 1999 were occasional smokers. The average daily number of cigarettes among respondents who smoked was lower in 1999. For both the surveys the beliefs about tobacco smoking remained generic and more often drawn from unspecific sources of information. Compared to 1992, in 1999 student nurses improved some attitudes towards smoking, such as the increased awareness that smoking cessation methods may be useful to quit and that hospital should be smoke-free. These positive attitudes did not change their smoking habits and the opinion on their ongoing smoking habits. Student nurses also did not obtain a consistently increased awareness about their role for advising subjects who smoked against smoking. We conclude that from 1992 to 1999 in Tuscany the smoking habits of first year student nurses changed little and remained high. There is a need for targeting antismoking education and for including specific training about tobacco smoking in the curricula of Italian nurse schools.     

Smoking behaviour and attitudes among Australian medical students

Teaching about tobacco and related diseases is essential in the undergraduate medical course in order for students to gain knowledge about smoking and how to intervene with patients who smoke. The objective of the study was to assess students'smoking-related behaviour, knowledge and attitudes towards tobacco, and perceptions of their future role as doctors. Data were collected from two consecutive years of year 1 and year 5 medical students at the University of New South Wales, Sydney. A total of 594 (79%) of students across the 2 years completed the survey: 90% of year 1 students, and 69% of year 5 students. The daily smoking rate among the total medical students was 2.9%: 11.8% in year 1 (2.3% daily, 9.5% occasional) and 13.7% in year 5 (3.3% daily, 10.4% occasional). There were significantly more male than female smokers in year 5 (P < 0.05). The overall smoking rates for males in years 1 and 5 were 12.4% and 19.3%, and the smoking rates for females were 11.2% and 8%. Knowledge about the causal role of tobacco in the development of specific diseases improved significantly from year 1 to year 5 (P < 0.001). Nevertheless, in year 5 there remained a lack of knowledge about the relationship of smoking and some diseases. Fifty-seven per cent of students thought that their current knowledge was sufficient to counsel smokers, with year 5 students (89%) being far more positive than year 1 students (34%) (P < 0.001). Teaching medical students about smoking-related diseases and a patient-centred smoking cessation intervention results in an increase in knowledge, as well as positive perceptions about their future role in intervening with smokers.     

Parental smoking and sociodemographic factors related to smoking among German medical students

Smoking among medical students has been found to vary strongly between European countries. Few studies have addressed factors associated with smoking among medical students within countries. In this study, we assessed the association of parental smoking and sociodemographic factors with smoking habits of medical students at the University of Ulm, Germany, Students who entered the 1st, 3rd and 5th year of medical school in fall 1992 were asked to complete a self-administered questionnaire. Questionnaires were returned by 696 (85.2%) of 817 eligible students. Overall, 23.7% of students were current smokers, and 11.9% were former smokers. Smoking habits were related to maternal smoking: Odds ratios for the association of maternal smoking with ever or current smoking of students were 2.11 (95% CI: 1.48–3.03) and 2.01 (95% CI: 1.35–3.01), respectively, after adjustment for potential confounders in multiple logistic regression. In contrast, no asso-ciation was found between paternal smoking and students' smoking status. Male students were more likely to smoke than female students, and living in a large city during secondary school was also associated with ever smoking. No association was found between students' smoking habits and educational achievement of their mothers and fathers. These results suggest a key role of maternal smoking for smoking among medical students in this society.     

Tobacco smoking habits, beliefs, and attitudes among medical students in Tirana, Albania

BACKGROUND: Many surveys throughout the world have evaluated the smoking behaviors, beliefs, and attitudes of medical students, but no information is available from Albania. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey in classroom settings using a self-administered questionnaire was performed at the University of Tirana during October 2000. RESULTS: In the first and fifth years of medical school, 149 (68.5% women) and 185 (55% women) students, respectively, completed the questionnaire, with overall response rates of 82 and 92%. Tobacco smoking prevailed among males. The smoking rates among first-year medical students were 34% among men and 5% among women. Among fifth-year students, 55% of the men and 34% of the women smoked. The percentages of occasional smokers were 29 and 49%, respectively, among the first- and fifth-year students who smoked. Most medical students reported knowing the health hazards of tobacco. Most students in both groups believed that smoking should be restricted in hospitals. Slightly more than half of the students stated that they will regularly advise smokers against smoking in their future jobs. CONCLUSION: Tobacco smoking is common among medical students in Albania. Targeted antismoking training should be mandatory for medical students in Albania.     

Tobacco use prevalence, knowledge and attitudes, and tobacco cessation training among medical students: results of a pilot study of Global Health Professions Students Survey (GHPSS) in Italy

Aim

The aims of this study were to examine tobacco use prevalence, knowledge and attitudes, and tobacco cessation training among students attending Italian medical schools using the Global Health Professions Student Survey approach and to identify possible factors associated with smoking status.

Subjects and Methods

A multicentre cross-sectional pilot study was carried out in five Italian Schools of Medicine from March to April 2009. Questionnaires were administered in anonymous, voluntary and self-administered form to third year students attending medical schools. The outcome measure was ??being a current smoker??. A logistic regression was used to evaluate possible factors associated with smoking status.

Results

The prevalence of current smokers was 31.4%. More than half considered health professionals as models for patients, and around 90% thought health professionals have a role in giving advice or information about smoking cessation. Only 5.8% of responders had received smoking cessation training during medical school. Medical students who considered healthcare professionals as behavioural models had lower likelihood of smoking (OR?=?0.52).

Conclusions

Given the high prevalence of smokers among medical students and the poorness of smoking cessation programmes, it is important to create tobacco control training programmes addressed to healthcare students.     

Changes of smoking habits and beliefs during nurse training: A longitudinal study

This prospective cohort study has been performed to evaluate the changes in student nurses smoking habits and beliefs during their training. The source of information was an anonymous questionnaire about tobacco smoking, administered to students who entered the first year of School of Nursing in Florence in 1991– 1992, 1992–1993 and 1993–1994. Five hundred and thirty-six (95%) of these student nurses completed the questionnaire. Five hundred and one (93%) of these 536 respondents completed the questionnaire again at the end of the third (final) year of training. Student nurses who smoked increased the average number of cigarettes smoked per day (p < 0.01) and the degree of dependence to nicotine (p < 0.01). Tobacco smoking remained widespread and the percentage of ex-smokers who started smoking again increased (p < 0.05). The knowledge about the health hazards due to tobacco smoking remained generic and the prevalence of current smokers among student nurses and health care workers was overestimated. We conclude that Nursing School does not succeed in reducing the smoking habits of students. Effective antitobacco strategies and smoking cessation services still need be organized in Italy.     

Cigarette smoking among Beijing (Peking) high schoolers

Students smoking at 2 key middle schools and 6 ordinary middle schools in Beijing, China were surveyed to determine the form in which high schoolers start smoking, and how long they have smoked. The patterns and causes of smoking were analyzed. The investigation was made from March to May 1981. 430 boys and 423 girls were selected from key schools and 1396 boys and 1394 girls from ordinary schools. Ages ranged from 13-17. All subjects completed a questionnaire in the classroom. To increase the reliability of the survey, names were kept secret. The students surveyed were classified into groups according to their smoking status: current regular smokers; occasional smokers; ex-smokers; and nonsmokers. In the key schools, there were only 4 smokers among 430 students, accounting for 0.9% of the total. Of these, 1 was Senior Class 2, 2 Senior Class 1, and 1 Junior Class 3. In the ordinary schools, 10% were smokers. 19.7% of the boys and 0.4% of the girls smoked. Among the boys, the higher the class, the more numerous the smokers. The smoking rate was 8.2% in the 1st year of junior high but rose to 34% in senior class 2; the difference was statistically significant. "Special occasion" smokers were few, only 5.5% of the students. In junior class, the number of regular smokers was about 2/3 to 4/5 that of occasional smokers. And by senior class 2 the number of regular smokers had risen to about 3 times that of the occasional smokers. In every grade, there were students who had given up smoking. Most had been occasional smokers. Some high schoolers had started to smoke in primary school and had a 4-5 year history of smoking, but most had only picked up smoking for 1-2 years after announcement of the Rules for High School Students prohibiting smoking. There were 3 smoking patterns: smoking without inhaling; inhaling the smoke deeply into the lungs, then expiring through the mouth or nostrils; and combining patterns 1 and 2. Of 265 students, 128 used the 1st pattern, 121 the second, and only 16 combined both patterns. The most common cause of smoking was curiosity. Next was lack of high ideals and dedication followed by boredom. The smoking rate in students whose parents were smokers was significantly higher than in those whose parents were nonsmokers. The difference was significant among all classes except junior class 1. To reduce smoking among high school students, it is necessary to go beyond the existing rules which prohibit smoking and emphasize political and ideologic education. Students must be taught about the dangers of smoking as early as possible, preferably in primary schools.     

Risk factors for smoking among school adolescents in Greece

Objective We conducted this study among school adolescents to identify factors, which influence schoolchildren to smoke. Methods We carried out a cross‐sectional study in a sample of 924 students of all classes (ages 12–18 years old) in 15 public high schools in a semi‐urban area in Crete, Greece, using a questionnaire. The questionnaire comprised of 46 questions covering children's lifestyle habits regarding daily activities and leisure time, frequency of risk‐taking behaviour, knowledge about the hazards and long‐term consequences of smoking. Results 23.9% of participants were experimental smokers and 18.6% were current smokers. 11.4% of the total population was daily smokers. There was a significant increase in the prevalence of experimental and current smokers with school grades, while peaks in last grades were observed. Boys started smoking earlier than girls, mean (standard error) age 13.4 (2.3) years vs. 14.1 (2.3) years, P = 0.01. Stepwise logistic regression analysis showed a positive relationship between current smoking and having brother or sister smoking [odds ratio (95% confidence interval) 2.7 (1.7–4.4) and 1.8 (1.1–3.3) respectively], having more than three friends who were smokers [2.6 (2–3.4)] and last school grade [1.4 (1.2–1.7)]. Students appeared to be informed about long‐term smoking hazards and had negative views on children who smoke especially in the lower grades. Conclusions Prevention programmes should be imposed early in elementary schools while cessation policies should target at all grades, in particular at critical grades depending on population‐specific characteristics.     

Tobacco use among high school students in Buenos Aires, Argentina

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the prevalence and correlates of tobacco use among high school students in Buenos Aires, Argentina. METHODS: Anonymous, self-administered questionnaires were given to 3909 8th and 11th graders in a stratified random sample of 49 public and private schools. The instrument included items from American surveys, translated and validated among Argentinean teens. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate possible effects on smoking behavior of environment, students' personal characteristics, and their knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes regarding smoking. RESULTS: Of 8th and 11th graders, 20% and 43%, respectively, were classified as current smokers. Overall, 29% of males and 32% of females were current smokers. Students attending public schools were more likely to smoke than those in private schools (P < .05). Current smoking was associated with having a best friend who smokes, reporting that more than 50% of friends of the same sex smoke, having positive attitudes and beliefs toward smoking, and having a positive intention to smoke within the next year (all P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Over 20% of the 8th graders in our sample were current smokers; prevention efforts must therefore start early.     

Attitudes of Hungarian dental professionals to tobacco use and cessation

Smoking is the most preventable cause of death worldwide. The regularity of visits of patients to dental offices offers a valuable contact for health professionals and the healthcare system to initiate anti-smoking activity. However, these contacts remain unutilized and there is little interaction between doctor and patient with regard to prevention of smoking and its consequences. The aim of this study was to evaluate the current situation and attitudes towards smoking and giving up smoking among dental professionals. A survey was carried out in the sample consisting in total of 342 participants, 212 students of dentistry and 130 dentists. Students were asked to complete a questionaire during the enrolment period; dentists were asked to complete the questionnaire while attending an annual compulsory in-service training course at the University of Szeged. The data were analysed statistically using SPSS 10.0 software, significance was tested using the Mann-Whitney U test and results were compared with data from a similar study conducted by the same research group in 2004 in which general knowledge and attitude towards smoking and giving up smoking was measured and evaluated. Results demonstrated that there is a lower number of smokers among dental professionals (dentists: 22.3%; students: 20.3%) than in the Hungarian general population and high interest in encouraging and assisting patients in giving up smoking (dentists: 45%; students: 54%). Comparing the results of this study to earlier data collated in 2004, we find a decreasing ratio of smokers among students (34% in 2004 and 20.3% in 2011). An increasing need for information about smoking cessation, tobacco related health hazards and the lack of detailed knowledge about methods and patient education were identified.     

四川省某医学院校学生吸烟行为及相关因素分析

目的了解医学院学生吸烟现状及影响因素。方法采用由中国控烟中心统一制作的问卷对四川某医学院校学生进行抽样调查。在描述性分析的基础上,采用χ2检验和Logistic回归探讨医学院校学生吸烟的影响因素。结果共调查176名大学生,其尝试吸烟率为32.39%,吸烟率为13.64%;男生吸烟率为30.56%,女生吸烟率为1.92%;吸烟者平均吸烟量为3.4支/天。单因素分析表明性别、学习成绩、饮酒对大学生尝试吸烟行为的影响具有统计学意义,性别、饮酒对大学生吸烟行为的影响具有统计学意义。Logistic回归分析表明性别、饮酒对大学生尝试吸烟行为的影响具有统计学意义,性别对大学生吸烟行为具有统计学意义。在烟草认知上有20%学生不知道吸烟对健康的危害。结论该校学生对烟草危害知识缺乏,控烟能力薄弱,开展控烟健康教育以提高控烟能力迫在眉睫。     

长沙市大学生尝试吸烟者吸烟行为演变及影响因素分析

目的 分析长沙市大学生尝试吸烟者吸烟行为演变及影响因素.方法 采用问卷调查方式在长沙市的高校大学生中进行调查,选择1个月前尝试过吸烟者为研究对象,然后根据现在是否吸烟将研究对象分成两组,再应用单因素x2检验和多因素logistic回归模型对影响现在吸烟的因素进行分析.结果 1550名过去尝试吸烟者中,477名现在吸烟,现在吸烟率为30.8％(95％CI:28.5～ 33.1).logistic回归分析结果显示:本科二批录取学生(OR=2.367)和本科三批录取学生(OR=2.562)较本科一批录取学生的现在吸烟率高,体育艺术专业学生(OR=2.456)较文科生高,父亲为干部的学生(OR=1.602)较父亲为工人的学生高;男性(OR=7.386)、每月零用钱多(OR=1.139)、家人吸烟者多(OR=1.801)、对吸烟好处持肯定态度(OR=1.140)是过去尝试吸烟者现在吸烟的危险因素,吸烟致病的相关知识掌握好(OR=0.806)对过去尝试吸烟者现在是否吸烟具有保护作用.结论 大学生尝试吸烟者可能演变为规律吸烟,其影响因素主要有学校类别、专业类别、性别、父亲职业、每月零用钱多少、家人吸烟情况、对吸烟的认识及对吸烟好处的认可态度等.     

Tobacco use amongst high school students in the Czech Republic

OBJECTIVE: We were interested in the prevalence of smoking amongst teen-age students, its possible causes, and their understanding of its associated health risks. METHODS: We constructed a questionnaire that was responded to by a total of 419 students from 5 high schools in Prague, Czech Republic. Students were classified as non-smokers, mild (1-10 cigarettes daily), moderate (11-20 cigarettes daily), and severe smokers (>20 cigarettes daily). The survey also contained questions about passive smoking, motivation for smoking, the understanding of its associated health risks, alcohol consumption, and drugs. RESULTS: We found that amongst 16-20 years old high school students there are 37.5% smokers (38.0% men, and 37.0% women). The majority are mild smokers (82.3%), 15.8% moderate smokers and 1.9% heavy smokers. 29.0% of non-smokers reported passive smoking; i.e. that 65.7% of students are exposed to harmful effect of tobacco smoke. The average onset of smoking is at 14 years of age. The youngest smoker started smoking at the age of 5 years. Parents of 52.0% of students smoke (69.4% of smokers and 41.6% of non-smokers). Most of students know about the risk of lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases (86-99%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of active and passive smoking among high school students is high. Parents smoking is significantly more frequent in teen-age smokers than in non-smokers. We consider the "teen-age" population together with their parents to be the key target for a successful antismoking campaign.     

宁波市大学生吸烟现状及影响因素调查

目的了解宁波市大学生吸烟现状及影响因素,为开展学校健康教育提供依据。方法分层整群抽宁波市6所高校699名学生,通过专题访谈和问卷调查方法了解其吸烟现状、烟草危害知识、对烟草及吸烟行为的态度和控烟的看法;定性分析访谈资料、描述性分析问卷资料。结果学生掌握烟草危害知识情况不容乐观;吸烟者与非吸烟者对烟草危害认知及吸烟行为的态度不同;与2005年监测相比,女生尝试吸烟率降低了44%,男女生近期吸烟率无变化,男生尝试吸烟率和经常吸烟率均呈上升趋势。结论学生对烟草危害存在认知误区,大学生中烟草流行仍很严重。学校健康教育工作要推陈出新,政府要加大控烟力度,多管齐下,方能显效。     

Smoking: How medical students see thedoctor''s role

To examine their view of the doctor's role in relation to smoking and how it is influencedboth by their medical training and their own smoking behaviour, a postal questionnaire was sent to 1163 medical studients at Manchester University, of whom 1112 replied (96%). Only a small minority of students were themselves cigarette smokers (17%) but they were poorly informed about the smoking behaviour of their future profession. Nearly half were not aware that doctors are less likely to be smokers than the general public and only four in 10 were able to estimate accurately the proportion of cigarette smokers among teaching staff. Students were almost unanimously agreed that it was appropriate for a doctor to advise a pregnant woman, a chronic bronchitic or a patient with a history of myocardial infarction not to smoke, but only seven in 10 took this view about a healthy young man. Nevertheless, they increasingly saw the relevance of the preventive approach as they progressed through their education, although smokers were less likely to do so. The smoking behaviour of patients was seen to be an important concern for the doctor and this opinion, uninfluenced by their own smoking behaviour, grew stronger as students progressed through their course. However, they were more equivocal in their view of the implications of the professional role for private behaviour, particularly the smokers among them. Thus most students were aware of the potential influence of a doctor's smoking behaviour but just under two-thirds took the next step of accepting the professional responsibility to set a good example, and seven in 10 regarded it ultimately as a purely personal decision.     

Cigarette smoking among medical college students in Wuhan, People's Republic of China.

BACKGROUND: This study examined cigarette smoking among a sample of medical college students in Wuhan, People's Republic of China. Specific cultural factors associated with cigarette smoking in China were discussed and issues which need to be studied in the future are presented. METHODS: A self-administrated questionnaire was administered to a sample of 1,611 medical students in 1995. Smoking status was based on self-reported use of cigarettes within the preceding 180 days. Information about demographic characteristics, home residence, annual family income, and smoking status of family members was also obtained. RESULTS: A total of 1,540 (1,201 males and 339 females) completed and returned the questionnaires (response rate 95.6%). None of the 339 female students surveyed reported cigarette smoking. A total of 37.7% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 35.0-40.5%) of the male medical students were current smokers, and 5. 3% (95% CI = 4.0-6.6%) were former smokers. The mean age of beginning to smoke was 16.5 years (95% CI = 8.7-24.3 years). The major reasons for first smoking were stress (42.8%, 95% CI = 38.2-47. 4%), curiosity (34.4%, 95% CI = 29.6-38.4%), and loneliness (33.7%, 95% CI = 28.7-37.4%). Multivariate analyses suggested that age, college year, and having a family member who smoked were significantly associated with cigarette smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicated a need to provide comprehensive tobacco use prevention programs among medical students.     

山西某医学院校学生吸烟行为态度及影响因素分析

目的 了解医学生吸烟情况及知信行现状,为学校制定控烟政策提供参考依据.方法 采用分层随机整群抽样的方法,选取山西某医学院校500名学生进行问卷调查,使用SPSS 22.0软件进行统计分析,主要统计学方法包括x2检验、logistic回归分析等.结果 医学生吸烟率为9.7％,其中男生吸烟率为27.6％,女生吸烟率为0.3...     

Smoking habits in nursing students: prevalence, attitudes and knowledge]

The purpose of this study has been to evaluate the prevalence of smoking habit, knowledge on the adverse health effects and attitudes towards it among nurses students in their three years of study (University School of Girona). A self-administrated questionnaire was used. A total of 135 questionnaires were answered (88%) from an estimated available population of 154 students (94% females with 21 years old of mean age). The prevalence of current smoking was 34.3%; ex smokers 23.3% and non smokers 42.5%. The mean of tobacco consumption was 367.6 cigarettes/month. 92% no smokers, 91% ex smokers and 76% smokers thought that smoking has adverse health effects (p less than 0.001). They consider the health protection like the first reason to give up smoking. 38% will advise their healthy smokers patients about the risk of their habit. We conclude: 1.-Low prevalence of smoking habit; 2.-Nurses should know methods aimed at lowering smoking rates, assuming that they have determined influence on the population behavior.     

Characterization of the smoking habit among high school students in Syria

Objectives: To establish an accurate estimate of the prevalence of smoking among high school students in Aleppo–Syria and to characterize the smoking habit in this age group. Design: A cross-sectional survey was performed, in which a self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 10th, 11th and 12th graders. Subjects: A sample of 1587 students (784 males; mean age 16 years, and 803 females; mean age 15.9 years) was studied. This sample was drawn from 16 schools randomly selected from a total of 73 schools in the city. Results: The prevalence of current smoking was 15.9% for males and 6.6% for females. The prevalence of daily smoking was 2.4% for males and 0.5% for females. Almost all smoking categories increased with age and grade. Forty seven percent of male daily smokers were heavy smokers. Peer influence was evident in all stages of the smoking process, especially for males. Parental smoking was also an important associated factor. The combination of parental and siblings smoking was the strongest predictor of the smoking status of the surveyed (OR: 4.4; 95% CI: 2.7–7). Thirty eight percent of male smokers and 47.2% of female smokers smoke out of boredom. Fifty one percent of male smokers were introduced to smoking by a friend. Forty percent of male smokers buy their cigarettes, while 56.6% of female smokers obtain their cigarettes from home. Logistic regression analyses showed that parental and siblings smoking were the most important predictors of ever trying to smoke or current smoking among male and female students. Conclusions: Our study shows that smoking is more frequent in male than female students. Parental and sibling smoking are the most important factors associated with smoking in this population, and peer influence is important particularly in the smoking initiation stage. Pattern of smoking and associated factors differed substantially between males and females in this study.