title: Do smoking knowledge, attitudes and behaviors change with years of schooling? A comparison of medical with non-medical students in China.
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.
authors: The Sixth Affiliated Hosptial, Sun Yat-Sen University, 510080, Guangzhou, China.
authors: Min-Yan
authors: MY
authors: Han
authors: Wei-Qing
authors: WQ
authors: Chen
authors: Xinguang
authors: X
authors: Chen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002681:China; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013337:Students, Medical / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult