FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CIGARETTE SMOKING AMONG UNDERGRADUATE NURSING STUDENTS AT A PRIVATE COLLEGE, HYDERABAD
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.66021/pakmcr1230Keywords:
Cigarette smoking, nursing students, peer influence, academic stress, socio-demographic factors, undergraduate studentsAbstract
Background: Cigarette smoking remains a major global public health concern and is particularly prevalent among young adults, including undergraduate nursing students. Despite their medical knowledge, nursing students are not immune to smoking initiation due to various social, psychological, and environmental influences.
Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of cigarette smoking and identify associated factors among undergraduate nursing students in a private college in Hyderabad, Pakistan.
Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over three months (January–March 2026) among 169 undergraduate nursing students selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured, self-administered questionnaire adapted from the National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). Descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests were used, with significance set at p < 0.05.
Results: The prevalence of cigarette smoking was 26%. Gender, peer influence, and academic stress showed significant associations with smoking behavior, while age, year of study, living status, and family smoking were not significant.
Conclusion: Smoking among nursing students is mainly influenced by peer pressure and academic stress. Targeted interventions such as peer education and stress management programs are recommended.
