Evaluation of the conceptual framework of undergraduate nursing students' intention to provide smoking cessation support

Abstract

Objective : For the purpose of improving the education curriculum of the Department of Nursing, the present study structurally examine factors affecting undergraduate nursing students' intention to provide smoking cessation support.Methods : We conducted an anonymous questionnaire survey of 322 undergraduate nursing students, and obtained 298 valid responses. Structural equation modeling was performed in order to identify factors related to intention to provide smoking cessation support.Results : The percentages of male and female students were 4.4% and 95.6%, respectively. The average age was 20.3 years old, and 5.4% were smokers. The results of structural equation modeling demonstrated that their intention to provide smoking cessation support was elevated by : (1) more positive attitudes toward smoking cessation support based on higher awareness of smoking as a health professional, which was related to their own smoking choice and their increasing grade level, and (2) elevation of self-efficacy in supporting smoking cessation, which related to their increasing grade level and increased opportunities to learn about smoking cessation support.Discussion : The present findings support the suggestion to encourage undergraduate nursing students to quit smoking, and to provide early education regarding smoking cessation support for the intention to support patients' smoking cessation efforts.