Poster Presentation
Thursday, July 12, 2007
9:30 AM - 10:15 AM
Thursday, July 12, 2007
3:15 PM - 4:00 PM
Perceived and Objective Smoking Addiction among University Students in Sakarya
Nursan Dede Çinar, PhD1, Müge Filiz, MD2, Cemile Dede, Msc3, İsmail Sakar, Msc1, Funda Akduran, Msc1, Süleyman Görpelioglu, MD4, and Pınar Topsever, MD2. (1) School of Health Sciences, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey, (2) Faculty of Medicine Department of Family Medicine, Kocaeli University, Kocaeli, Turkey, (3) Vocational School of Health Sciences, Sakarya University, Sakarya, Turkey, (4) Department of Primary Health Care Services, Turkish Ministry of Health, Kocaeli, Turkey
| Learning Objective #1: Smoking habits among young people today determine population health risks of tomorrow. |
| Learning Objective #2: The addiction levels of tobacco smoking according to Fagerstrom Questionnaire and self perceived addiction among University students in Sakarya/Turkey |
Background and Aim: Smoking habits among young people today determine population health risks of tomorrow. To determine the addiction levels of tobacco smoking according to Fagerstrom Questionnaire and self perceived addiction among University students in Sakarya/Turkey.
Methods: A 15-item questionnaire investigating socio-demographics, as well as smoking behavior (developed by the researchers) and Fagerstrom Questionnaire were applied to students of seven faculties and one vocational school of Sakarya University, Turkey. In 2005-2006, total number of registered students at these faculties/schools was 17541. Representative sample size was estimated as 2200 students. Questionnaires of 2249 consenting participants were analyzed. Self rated addiction level was dichotomized (No, Yes); Fagerstrom scores were grouped into three (mild: 0-3; moderate 4-6; high 7-10).
Results : More than one fourth of the participants (1126 males (50.1%), 1123 females (49.9%), mean age 21.4ƒn„b2.1 years) were smokers (604 (26.9%) smokers, 110 (4,9%) ex-smokers, 1535 (68.3%) non-smokers). Out of 604 smokers, 537 (88.9%) answered the question on self perceived addiction (194 (36.1%) "I am not addicted"; 343 (63.9%) "I am addicted). Female gender (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.28) and high Fagerstrom score (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.32 to 1.59) were independent factors of positive addiction perception. Out of 604 smokers, 580 (96.0%) answered the question "do you wish to quit smoking" (403 (69.5%)"Yes"; 177 (30.5% "No")). Among the students who had the wish to quit smoking, 286 (71.0%) declared that they believed that they can quit. Independent factors affecting the decision of quitting smoking were male gender (OR 0.55, 95%CI 0.37 to 0.81) and high Fagerstrom score (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.78 to 0.92).
Conclusion: Given the fact that perception of addiction correlates with objective addiction score and more frequent wish of giving up smoking, university students must be counseled about smoking and how to quit smoking.