Do smoking knowledge, attitudes and behaviors change with years of schooling? A comparison of medical with non-medical students in China.
J Community Health
; 36(6): 966-74, 2011 Dec.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21452029
ABSTRACT
This study aimed to compare the tobacco-related knowledge, attitudes and smoking behavior among Chinese medical and non-medical students across three grades from freshmen to juniors. Survey data were collected among 8,138 students using a paper-and-pencil questionnaire. Study findings indicate that compared to non-medical students, medical students in the sophomore and junior years reported significantly higher levels of knowledge regarding tobacco toxicants and tobacco-related diseases, and had stronger attitudes against smoking as personal rights and stronger attitudes in favor of smoking ban. The differences between medical and non-medical students remained after controlling for a number of covariates. However the prevalence rates of cigarette smoking were similar between medical and non-medical students across grades even after adjusted smoking initiation before entering college. Despite increases in tobacco related knowledge, approximately 40% of junior-year medical students did not recognize carbon monoxide as a toxicant from tobacco, and 30-40% of them were unknown of tobacco smoking as a risk factor for several diseases, including hypertension, stroke, and gastric ulcer. Findings of this study suggest the need for immediate action to enhance tobacco-related education in formal medical training in China to prepare future doctors for smoking prevention and to assist millions of smokers to quit.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Estudantes de Medicina
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Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde
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Educação de Graduação em Medicina
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Prevenção do Hábito de Fumar
Tipo de estudo:
Qualitative_research
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
País como assunto:
Asia
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article