Title:Determinants of Tobacco Use and Nicotine Dependence Among Healthcare
Students and Their Undergraduate Peers
Volume: 17
Issue: 3
Author(s): Ashwaghosha Parthasarathi*, Malavika Shankar, Purnima Madhivanan, Komarla Sundararaja Lokesh, Krishna Undela, Mamidipudi Thirumala Krishna and Padukudru Anand Mahesh*
Affiliation:
- Subbaiah Institute of Medical Sciences, Shimoga, Karnataka, India
- Department of Pulmonology,
JSS Medical College, JSSAHER, Mysore, Karnataka, India
Keywords:
Nicotine dependence, peer pressure, tobacco consumption, tobacco use in health care students, GYTS, tobacco use determinants.
Abstract: Background: Global estimates suggest that tobacco will account for 8 million deaths
per year by 2030. The Global Adult Tobacco Survey (2016-17) reported that more than half of men
and one in ten women aged 15 years and above smoke in India.
Introduction: Health science courses students (HCS), being the future of our health care system,
are expected to be more knowledgeable regarding the hazards of tobacco and are considered less
likely to use it compared to their peers (non-HCS) from other fields. The aim of the study is to determine
the prevalence and determinants of tobacco use and levels of nicotine dependence amongst
HCS and non-HCS students.
Methods: Web-based survey (response rate of 72%) employing Global Youth Tobacco Survey
(GYTS) and Fagerström standardized questionnaires (n = 4770 [21.5 (SD: ± 1.61) years: 62%
male] was filled by HCS (43.5%) and non-HCS (56.3%) students from three universities. A descriptive,
comparative and multivariate analysis was performed.
Results: Half of non-HCS and a third of HCS used tobacco, with a higher proportion of male users
in both groups. 70% of overall participants showed ‘low nicotine dependence’ with a higher proportion
of ‘high dependence’ within the non-HCS group (13.89% vs. 9.2%). There were crucial differences
in specific determinants and ages of initiation of tobacco use between the two groups.
Conclusion: Tobacco use in HCS, apart from personal health risks, may potentially affect their future
commitment to support patients in tobacco cessation programs. There is a need for further research
into tobacco prevention and cessation programs tailored to the needs of student groups
based on the determinants affecting them.
