Abstract
BackgroundMedical students are the first line active force to combat tobacco epidemic, but they may suffer from high smoking prevalence and wrong attitude themselves. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of current curriculum on smoking behavior of medical students in Kyrgyzstan.Methods20% random sample of all 6 years of the School of Medicine in Kyrgyz State Medical Academy were interviewed in spring 2016. The questionnaire included sections on tobacco products consumption and knowledge and attitude to counseling. We verified smoking status with exhaled CO measurement using Bedfont Smokelyzer.ResultsIn 618 students (48% female), the overall daily cigarette smoking prevalence was 21% (34% in males and 6% in females), being highest in years 1 and 3 and least in year 5 (prevalence difference 14%). With very low smokeless products and electronic cigarettes use prevalence, ever-smoking prevalence of waterpipe use was very high, reaching 85% in 6-year male students with alarmingly high prevalence in female students also. Only 74% students responded there was 100% evidence of harmful effects of tobacco, unchanged throughout the course of study.ConclusionsThe use of tobacco products, especially smoking waterpipe, in Kyrgyzstan medical students remains very high. Coupled with poor knowledge and high demand for more information, this demonstrates urgent need for more active and advanced training on tobacco control in medical school.
Highlights
Medical students are the first line active force to combat tobacco epidemic, but they may suffer from high smoking prevalence and wrong attitude themselves
Smokeless tobacco may cost much less to a user, its prevalence remains uncertain, and due to social pressure of being a role model medical student, students may use this form as an alternative to openly demonstrated conventional cigarette smoking
Internal medicine syllabus for 5year students included a brief course of lectures and discussions tobacco dependence verification, evaluation and treatment, including basic information on tobacco control as a public health issue
Summary
Medical students are the first line active force to combat tobacco epidemic, but they may suffer from high smoking prevalence and wrong attitude themselves. The role of medical professionals has been discussed widely and was considered no less important than the population-level interventions. High smoking prevalence among medicals in low-income countries, may impede proper interaction between a smoker willing to quit and a medical professional, where model behavior may play crucial role. Widespread use and marketing of waterpipe (hookah) for smoking and electronic cigarettes undermined effective tobacco restriction and ban activities on the national level, because the national law on tobacco control did not consider those. Smokeless tobacco may cost much less to a user, its prevalence remains uncertain, and due to social pressure of being a role model medical student, students may use this form as an alternative to openly demonstrated conventional cigarette smoking
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