Smoking status of Turkish nursing students and factors affecting their behavior.

Objective: This descriptive-cross sectional study was conducted in order to determine the smoking status of nursing students and factors affecting their behavior.

Methods: Subjects were 220 students who were selected from all classes of a School of Nursing with a stratified random sampling method and who voluntarily accepted to participate. Permission was obtained both from individuals and the relevant institution to conduct the study. Data were collected through Demographic Data Collecting Form, Decisional Balance Scale, Fegostrom Addiction Test and Cessation phase scale. Percentage calculations, chi square, odd ratio, Kruskal wallis and CHAID analysis were used in the assessment of the data.

Findings: 81.5% of the students were female (163), average age was 20.9±1.6 years, age at first smoking was 15.4±4.1, 58.5 of the parents were smokers and at least one person from among their friends was smoking (30%). 19.5% of the students were smoking. The difference between smoking ratios of male and female students was significant (p<0.001). Rates increased with increase in the number of friends who smoke (p<0.001). Differences were detected across geographical regions (p=0.023). Smoking mostly increases at times of exams (42.5%). It was estimated that 69.2% of the smokers are addicts at a low level. Some 56.3% of the smokers and 12.5% of non-smokers found smoking beneficial (p<0.001), this increasing the future smoking risk nine fold. Pros and cons perceptions score averages of smokers were intermediate. The difference between score averages of smokers and non-smokers as regards to cancerogenic effects of smoking was found to be statistically significant (p=0.034). 34% of the students stated that their opinions about smoking did not change even though they received an education in the field of nursing.

Conclusion: One in five students participating in the study was smoker. In terms of variables, while gender, geographical region, number of friends using cigarettes and times of exams effect the use of cigarettes, no influence was noted for class, perceived income level, settlement, smoking and cancer cases in the family.