Determinants of Current Smoking Behaviour among Third Year Nursing Students in India: Results from Global Health Professional Student Survey (India)

Abstract

Health professionals serve as role models to their patients and public at large. Smoking among health professional would have negative impact on community members. Global Health Professional Student Survey (GHPSS) indicates health professional students including nursing students do smoke. But the factors affecting smoking behaviour are yet to be explored. This study examined GHPSS (2007) to identify factors encouraging smoking among nursing students. Results suggest that male gender, higher age, non teaching about smoking hazards were major determinants of smoking. The study suggested that the teaching about smoking hazards should be made mandatory in nursing schools.