An Extended Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) Used to Predict Smoking Behavior Among a Sample of Iranian Medical Students.
BACKGROUND
Smoking among the youth is an important public health concern. Although several studies have investigated the correlates of smoking behavior, no theory-based study has particularly assessed this problem among medical students.


OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) to predict smoking behavior among a sample of Iranian medical students.


METHODS
This is a cross-sectional study carried out in Ahvaz, Iran, 2014. The data were collected through a self-administered questionnaire, which included items on demographics, smoking behavior, and components of the TPB model (attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavior control, and intention), and an added construct on smoking refusal skill. Data were analyzed using descriptive correlation, and linear regression statistics by SPSS, version 16.


RESULTS
One hundred and seventy medical students with a mean age of 21.25 (SD = 2.9) years were enrolled in the study. Of them, 24 (13.5%) students were smokers. All components of the TPB model and smoking refusal skill were statistically significant as to intention to smoke (P < 0.001). The TPB constructs with and without smoking refusal skill accounted for 77% (adjusted R2) and 78% of the variance observed for intention to smoke, respectively. The results also revealed the highest weight for perceived behavior control (β= -0.40).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study indicated that all TPB variables are useful tools for prediction of the smoking behaviors among students. Particularly, students' perceived behavioral control and attitudes towards smoking were found to be important determinants of smoking intentions. Thus, the findings could be used for planning effective tobacco control programs targeting University students.
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Saveh University of Medical Sciences, Saveh, IR Iran.
Mahmood
M
Karimy
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Health, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, IR Iran.
Iraj
I
Zareban
Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, IR Iran.
Marzieh
M
Araban
Department Mental Health Research Group, Health Metrics Research Center, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECR, Tehran, IR Iran.
Ali
A
Montazeri
Prevention; Smoking; Students; Tobacco; Youth