Susceptibility to smoking and determinants among medical students: A representative nationwide study in China

Sihui Peng1+, Lingwei Yu1+, Tingzhong Yang2#, Dan Wu3, Joan L. Bottorff4, Ross Barnett5, Shuhan Jiang6#

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION The rationale behind why the majority of medical students

are non-smokers, but some initiate smoking after becoming physicians

is not fully understood in China. Exploring factors that may increase

susceptibility to smoking initiation among medical students is an essential

first step in assessing preventative actions.

METHODS Participants were 11954 students, who were identified through

a multistage survey sampling process that included 50 universities in

China. Subsequent analysis focused on 8916 non-smokers among medical

students. Both unadjusted and adjusted logistic methods were considered

in the data analyses.

RESULTS The prevalence of susceptibility to smoking was 23.0%. Multivariate

logistic regression analyses found that exposure to secondhand smoke

(SHS) in domestic places (OR= 1.63) and in public places (OR=1.78),

cigarette advertising (OR=1.91) and promotional activities on campus

(OR=1.90) were positively associated with susceptibility to smoking.

In contrast, positive attitudes toward tobacco control on the part of

health professionals, HPs, (OR=0.52) were negatively associated with

susceptibility to smoking. Those who received information about the

dangers of smoking (OR=0.75) and did not agree that light cigarettes are

less harmful to health (OR=0.79) were less susceptible to smoke. Caring

about exposure to secondhand smoke (OR=0.68 care, and OR=0.33 very)

and advising family members to stop smoking (OR=0.81) were negatively

associated with susceptibility to smoking.

CONCLUSIONS These findings underscore the importance of tobacco control

training and establishing smoke-free campuses for reducing susceptibility

to smoking among medical students.

CORRESPONDENCE TO

Tingzhong Yang. Children’s Hospital/Center for Tobacco Control Research,

Zhejiang University School of Medicine,Hangzhou 310052, China.

E-mail: Tingzhongyang@zju.edu.cn

https://doi.org/10.18332/tid/106188