Factors Affecting Smoking and Awareness of Secondhand Smoke among Health Science Faculty Students

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this research was investigeted smoking prevalence, affecting factors and awareness of secondhand smoking among health science students. Method: This descriptive study was conducted with 1054 students of a Health Sciences Faculty in Istanbul. Data were collected by Sociodemographic Form, Secondhand Smoke Exposure Questionnaire Form, Cigarette Smoking Questionnaire Form and Fagerstrom Nikotine Dependence Test and were evaluated by chi-square test and descriptive statistic analysis. Results: The average age of the students was 20.06±1.66 and students of 84.5% were female. For students, the frequency of smoking was 13.9% and the frequency of exposure to secondhand smoke was 96.9% during the last 30 days. They were exposure secondhand smoke at home(24.2%) and at school(26.7%). According to Fagerstrom Nikotine Dependence Test, 90.8% of smoker students were medium, high or heavy smoking addicts. Rate of wanted to quit smoking was 50.7%. The frequency of smoking was statistically significant and higher in men, low-income, children of devorced parents, living alone or together with friends in student houses/dormitoris and working in a paid job than the others. Conclusion: According to this study result, secondhand smoke exposure was high and the addiction level of almost all students who smoke was medium and above. It is found that theage of starting to smoke coincided with the university years. According to the results, at the beginning years of university, it is suggested to make prevention and quitting programs which includes secondhand smoke exposure.