Prevalence of smoking among health science students in Vietnam in 2018 and associated factors: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Smoking is a global health problem among health science students. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of smoking and to examine associated factors among health science students from five universities in Vietnam. Among 5946 participants (95.0% response rate), the smoking prevalence was 19.2% (95% CI:17.4–21.0%) among male students and 2.9% (95% CI:2.4–3.5%) among female students. In the multivariable regression models, significant factors for smoking were the perceived financial burden, the respondent’s year in university, a non-self-determined motivation profile, self-reported depression and/or anxiety, the level of vigorous physical activity, and alcohol drinking.

Cigarette Smoking among Medical Students from the Western Balkan

“…The percentage of medical students in our study whose both parents were smokers was significantly higher compared to the students with one parent who smoked and the ones with non-smoking parents. The results by Basu et al [ 24 ] conducted in Bengal, a study by Abdulghani et al [ 25 ] conducted in Saudi Arabia, a study by Tien Nam et al [ 26 ] conducted in Vietnam, a study by Ghimire et al [ 27 ] conducted in Nepal, and the study by Elamin et al [ 28 ] conducted in Sudan all correspond to the results of our study, indicating the connection between the smoking status of the parents with the smoking status of their children-medical students. Among the medical students for whom both or one parent are smokers in relation to the students with non-smoking parents, it is clear that the parental model behaviour has been adopted, i.e., the students whose parents are smokers become smokers themselves more frequently [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ].…”

“…The results by Basu et al [ 24 ] conducted in Bengal, a study by Abdulghani et al [ 25 ] conducted in Saudi Arabia, a study by Tien Nam et al [ 26 ] conducted in Vietnam, a study by Ghimire et al [ 27 ] conducted in Nepal, and the study by Elamin et al [ 28 ] conducted in Sudan all correspond to the results of our study, indicating the connection between the smoking status of the parents with the smoking status of their children-medical students. Among the medical students for whom both or one parent are smokers in relation to the students with non-smoking parents, it is clear that the parental model behaviour has been adopted, i.e., the students whose parents are smokers become smokers themselves more frequently [ 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ]. A study by Deressa and Azazh [ 29 ] conducted in Ethiopia shows that the medical students whose fathers are smokers consume cigarettes in a higher percentage than the students whose fathers do not smoke.…”

“…However, Mensouri et al [ 33 ] emphasise that the results of the Iranian study involving only medical students show that the students who are smokers are mainly physically inactive, which is not in agreement with the results of our study, stating that there is no correlation between physical activity and medical students’ smoking status. The results of a study by Tien Nam et al [ 26 ] conducted in Vietnam indicate that physically active students who go in for sports have more social interactions with their peers, which sometimes leads to peer pressure to start smoking and become smokers.…”

“…The same study shows that the students living in households with higher average income are more likely to smoke in relation to the students living in households with lower average income [ 38 ]. Tien Nam et al [ 26 ] in a study conducted among Vietnam medical students indicate that the students who consider their financial situation bad are more likely to smoke cigarettes in comparison to the students who consider their financial situation satisfactory. It is possible that some students use cigarettes to relieve the stress caused by financial problems or to cope with the life stress factors [ 26 ].…”

“…Tien Nam et al [ 26 ] in a study conducted among Vietnam medical students indicate that the students who consider their financial situation bad are more likely to smoke cigarettes in comparison to the students who consider their financial situation satisfactory. It is possible that some students use cigarettes to relieve the stress caused by financial problems or to cope with the life stress factors [ 26 ]. According to the CDC data, the US residents living below the poverty line, as well as the residents with lower income levels, smoke more than the general population [ 39 ].…”