Tobacco Smoking and Smokeless Tobacco Use among Domestic and International Medical Students in Hungary

Bibliographic Data

ID21645194
AuthorsErika Balogh (0000-0002-2788-9108, Department of Public Health Medicine, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary), 知恵 新甫 (corresponding author), Zoltán Wagner (Diabetes Outpatient Clinic, United Health Institutions, Pécs, Hungary), Nóra Faubl (0000-0002-7169-6637, Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary), Henna Riemenschneider (0000-0001-8348-487X, Department of General Practice, Medical Clinic 3, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany), Karen Voigt (0000-0003-2246-7368, Department of General Practice, Medical Clinic 3, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany), András Terebessy (0000-0001-6080-8114, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University Budapest, Budapest, Hungary), Ferenc Horváth (0000-0002-1317-1269, Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Semmelweis University Budapest, Budapest, Hungary), Zsuzsanna Füzesi (0000-0003-3209-813X, Department of Behavioral Sciences, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary), Istvan Kiss (0000-0002-7558-1300, Department of Public Health Medicine, University of Pécs Medical School, Pécs, Hungary)
Year2021
Volume56
Issue4
Pages493-500
Publication date2021-03-21
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSubstance Use & Misuse (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1082-6084 • E-ISSN: 1532-2491
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/10826084.2021.1879150
OpenAlexW33557674
LanguageEN
References cited30

Medical students as future physicians will have an important role in tobacco control; therefore, their tobacco use behavior is of particular interest. Consumption of combustible tobacco (cigarettes, waterpipes, cigars, and pipes) is prevalent throughout Europe, whereas smokeless tobacco use is common mainly in the Nordic countries. Objectives: Aim of our study is to assess tobacco use among medical students from different countries studying in Hungary with special focus on students from Norway where smokeless tobacco is widely used. A self-administered questionnaire survey was carried out to measure current tobacco use. Results: The survey included 1337 students from Hungary, Norway, Germany, and from other countries (Multinational group). The lowest prevalence of cigarette smoking was found among students from Norway (13.0%) when compared with students from Hungary (21.5%), Germany (34.2%), or with students in the Multinational group (29.5%). Conversely, prevalence of smokeless tobacco use was the highest among students from Norway (40.9%) when compared with students from Hungary (1.4%), Germany (2.6%), or with students in the Multinational group (6.2%). Waterpipes, cigars, and pipes were rarely used, mostly only 1-3 times a month in all groups. More than half of Norwegian students used some form of tobacco (smokeless and/or combustible tobacco). Conclusions: Considering the impending role of medical students in tobacco control, faculties of medicine should sensitize their students on the topic of possible health risks associated with combustible and smokeless tobacco products. Culturally tailored tobacco cessation programs need to be offered to medical students coming from different cultural backgrounds

Computer Science · Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout · Smoking Behavior and Cessation

Tools

Open DOI