TOBACCO USE IN HEALTH SCIENCES UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A PREVALENCE STUDY

Abstract

Introduction. Tobacco is one of the main causes of morbidity and preventable premature death in our society. Health science students play a key role as future health promoters in the field of smoking.

Objective. To determine the prevalence of tobacco consumption and to analyze the knowledge and attitudes towards smoking among Health Sciences students.

Methodology. Cross-sectional descriptive study using an anonymous questionnaire, carried out at the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Ponferrada Campus of the University of León during October and November 2014.

Results. 353 students (82.2%) of Nursing and Physiotherapy degree participated in the study. The overall prevalence of smoking was 19.5%. The age of onset of consumption was 15.3 years, with a low nicotine dependence and an average motivation for abandonment. Knowledge about the health consequences of smoking was poor.

Conclusion. Most students started smoking before they started college, so interventions focused on cessation programs. The analysis of university curricula leads to the achievement of degrees in Health Sciences and the establishment of training deficiencies in smoking to carry out the appropriate modifications.