Smoking Habits and the Related Sociodemographic Characteristics in University Students

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:Smoking is an important public health issue in Turkey. This study set out to investigate the smoking prevalence among first and fourth grade university students as well as the associated socio-demographic variables. MATERIAL AND METHODS:A survey was carried out by the International Children's Centre (ICC) in the faculties of Science and Literature, Education and Medicine of nine Turkish Universities to determine the knowledge and life styles of the 1st and 4th grade university students in adolescence (2009). A total of 5.221 students were evaluated. Data were analysed using SPPS 16.0-9907290 statistical package program. RESULTS:The first grade students with illiterate mothers (23.0%), those who were living alone at home (37.7%) and those who considered receiving inadequate pocket money (24.9%) had a higher level of smoking prevalence (p<0.05). The fourth grade students with illiterate mothers (34.9%), those who were living with their friends (34.0%), those who perceived their economic situation bad (37.7%) and those who considered receiving inadequate pocket money (36.3%) had a higher level of smoking prevalence (p<0.05). CONCLUSION:A relationship between smoking habits of university students and some socio-demographic characteristics was found. We believe that more priority should be given to health promotion interventions among university students, especially among those of low socioeconomic status. On the other hand, in order to monitor the efficacy of smoking-related interventions among young people, there is a need for early detection of young individuals who are at risk and urgent interventions should be carried out.KEY WORDS: University students, smoking, sociodemographic characteristics INTRODUCTIONThe World Health Organization defines adolescence as the period between 10 and 19 years and youth as the period between 15 and 24 years [1]. Adolescence is a specific process with the highest rate of growth and development of an individual and it is the transition from childhood to adulthood. This process is a period including physical and sexual growth and development accompanied by numerous social changes. Quest for identity and effort to gain acceptance are experienced intensively in adolescence [2][3][4]. It is expected that the changes occurring in adolescence would be completed and the plans for the future would be developed in youth. Numerous behaviours that determine the life style are also gained in youth. Whilst some of these behaviours are positive, some of them negatively influence the health. Accidents, suicide, sexually transmitted infections, violence and substance abuse that are brought along with behavioural problems negatively influence health in youth. Behaviours acquired from family, as well as the effects of the social environment and friends, have a role in forming these behaviours [5].Studies demonstrate that the majority of smokers in many countries begin smoking before the age of 18 years [6,7]. According to the 2008 data of the World Health Organization, approximately one f...

Self-Reported Prevalence of Tobacco Use; Including the Fagerstrom Test, among an Universi-ty Students, Turkey

“…When the effect of the smoking behavior of the participants' family members was examined, current smoking rates were found to be higher among the students who have smoking family members , corroborating with the results of the previous studies (19,20) . In the present study, different smoking rates were observed among students according to their department of study.…”

“…In the same study, the lowest frequency of smoking was observed in the departments of veterinary medicine and clinical medicine, whereas the highest rates were observed in the departments of arts and social sciences (21) . In Turkey, higher smoking rates were detected at researches conducted in university students except medical faculties (19) . The present study found similar smoking rates among departments.…”

The Effects of Smoking Ban in Closed Public Spaces on the Status of Smoking

“…It is also another well-known fact that the age of initiation of smoking is an important factor to continue smoking and to being not able to quit [19,20].…”

Riskli Davranışlar Ölçeği Üniversite Formu: Geçerlik ve Güvenirlik Çalışmaları

“…Yapılan doğrulayıcı faktör analizi sonucunda elde edilen uyum katsayıları ise Tablo 2'de sunulmuştur. Ayrıca Kline (2010) 'nin ≤ 3 düzeyinde kabul edilebilir olduğunu ifade etmektedir. Tablo 2'de görüldüğü yapılan analiz sonucunda elde edilen bu değer ≤ 3'ten küçük olduğundan modelin uyum gösterdiğine işaret etmektedir.…”

“…Kline (2010) güvenirlik katsayılarına ilişkin olarak yaptığı açıklamalarda .90 üstündeki değerlerin "mükemmel", .80 civarındaki değerlerin "çok iyi" ve .70 civarındaki değerlerin ise yeterli odluğunu ifade etmektedir. Bu bağlamda AK, SK; MK ve İE boyutlarında ölçeğin güvenirlik düzeyinin oldukça yüksek, AS ve BA boyutlarında ise yüksek; ancak OT boyutunda orta düzeyde olduğu ifade edilebilir.…”