A Comparison of Haitian and American Bachelor of Science in Nursing Students' Perceptions of Cigarette Smoking and E-Cigarette Use

Abstract

Cigarette smoking is a global health epidemic, and smoking along with electronic nicotine delivery systems use or vaping are on the rise. Despite the effectiveness of smoking cessation strategies, healthcare providers and nursing students do not routinely recommend these strategies for patients who are smokers. This study compares the perceptions of smoking and vaping between two groups of baccalaureate degree nursing students from Haiti and the United States. The study was influenced by contemporary and past studies showing that more young people are drawn into smoking and vaping despite the prevalence of antismoking policies and awareness campaigns. In this descriptive study, surveys were used to collect data to determine the differences between the two country's nursing students on their perception of smoking and vaping. The findings indicated that, despite greater usage, the students from the United States had a higher perception of the health implications of cigarette smoking and vaping compared with those from Haiti. On the basis of the findings of this study, collaborative pedagogical research opportunities among international nursing education programs can further curriculum development to foster growth and development of future global health practitioners.