The association between cigarette smoking attitudes and social capital among Iranian health and medical students: a cross-sectional study

Zahedi, H; Sahebihagh, MH; Sarbakhsh, P; Gholizadeh, L

The association between cigarette smoking attitudes and social capital among Iranian health and medical students: a cross-sectional study

Zahedi, H Sahebihagh, MH Sarbakhsh, P Gholizadeh, L

Permalink

Publisher:: BMC
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: BMC Public Health, 2021, 21, (1), pp. 1366
Issue Date:: 2021-07-10

Open Access

Copyright Clearance Process

Recently Added
In Progress
Open Access

This item is open access.

Adobe PDF

Download Accepted versionAdobe PDF (538.34 kB)

View on publisher's site

View statistics

Full metadata record

Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Zahedi, H
dc.contributor.author	Sahebihagh, MH
dc.contributor.author	Sarbakhsh, P
dc.contributor.author	Gholizadeh, L https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6711-3312
dc.date.accessioned	2021-07-29T00:44:40Z
dc.date.available	2021-06-30
dc.date.available	2021-07-29T00:44:40Z
dc.date.issued	2021-07-10
dc.identifier.citation	BMC Public Health, 2021, 21, (1), pp. 1366
dc.identifier.issn	1471-2458
dc.identifier.issn	1471-2458
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/149954
dc.description.abstract	<h4>Background</h4>Smoking remains a leading public health challenge globally. As a psychosocial determinant of health, social capital can influence health attitudes and behaviors, and thus it may have the capacity to reduce smoking rates. The aim of this research was to examine the association between social capital and attitudes towards smoking among university students.<h4>Methods</h4>This cross-sectional study was conducted among 538 health and medical students, recruited using the proportionate sampling method. Participants' social capital and attitudes toward smoking were assessed using the social capital questionnaire (SCQ) and the scale of cigarette smoking attitude (CSA). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and the multiple regression analysis.<h4>Results</h4>About one in four health and medical students reported smoking, either currently or in the past, and 30% had either positive or indifferent attitudes towards smoking. The mean scores of the SCQ and the CSA were 105.1 ± 19.7 and 48.6 ± 11.2, respectively. There was a statistically significant negative association between the SCQ and the CSA scores (r = - 0.24; p < 0.001). In the regression analysis, the SCQ scores were also negatively and statistically significantly associated with the CSA scores, after controlling potential confounders (B: -0.09; 95% CI: - 0.13 to - 0.004).<h4>Conclusions</h4>As future healthcare providers, who are expected to take the primary role in reducing smoking rates in the community, health and medical students should be supported to develop appropriate attitudes towards smoking. Promoting positive social capital among university students has the capacity to improve their attitudes towards smoking. Possessing negative attitudes towards smoking should hopefully reduce smoking behaviors among future health professionals and improve their participation in anti-smoking campaigns.
dc.format	Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	BMC
dc.relation.ispartof	BMC Public Health
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1186/s12889-021-11435-y
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	1117 Public Health and Health Services
dc.subject.classification	Public Health
dc.title	The association between cigarette smoking attitudes and social capital among Iranian health and medical students: a cross-sectional study
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	21
utslib.location.activity	England
utslib.for	1117 Public Health and Health Services
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2021-07-29T00:44:37Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	21
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

Background

Smoking remains a leading public health challenge globally. As a psychosocial determinant of health, social capital can influence health attitudes and behaviors, and thus it may have the capacity to reduce smoking rates. The aim of this research was to examine the association between social capital and attitudes towards smoking among university students.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 538 health and medical students, recruited using the proportionate sampling method. Participants' social capital and attitudes toward smoking were assessed using the social capital questionnaire (SCQ) and the scale of cigarette smoking attitude (CSA). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, and the multiple regression analysis.

Results

About one in four health and medical students reported smoking, either currently or in the past, and 30% had either positive or indifferent attitudes towards smoking. The mean scores of the SCQ and the CSA were 105.1 ± 19.7 and 48.6 ± 11.2, respectively. There was a statistically significant negative association between the SCQ and the CSA scores (r = - 0.24; p < 0.001). In the regression analysis, the SCQ scores were also negatively and statistically significantly associated with the CSA scores, after controlling potential confounders (B: -0.09; 95% CI: - 0.13 to - 0.004).

Conclusions

As future healthcare providers, who are expected to take the primary role in reducing smoking rates in the community, health and medical students should be supported to develop appropriate attitudes towards smoking. Promoting positive social capital among university students has the capacity to improve their attitudes towards smoking. Possessing negative attitudes towards smoking should hopefully reduce smoking behaviors among future health professionals and improve their participation in anti-smoking campaigns.

Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:

http://hdl.handle.net/10453/149954