Description Of The Level Of Knowledge And Attitudes Of Students Of The Faculty Of Engineering, University Of North Sumatra In 2020

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Description of the Level of Knowledge and Attitudes of Students of the Faculty of Engineering, University of North Sumatra about Smoking as a Risk Factor for Lung Cancer in 2020

Introduction

Cancer is a frightening specter for global health, ranking as the second cause of death with 9.6 million people per year, or equivalent to one in six deaths. Lung cancer is the main cause of cancer death, and cigarettes are a major risk factor for lung cancer. Indonesia ranks fifth in the world and the second in Southeast Asia in terms of the prevalence of smokers, with a high increase in children and adolescents. It is essential to examine the level of knowledge and attitudes of the community, especially the younger generation, towards the dangers of smoking, especially as a risk factor for lung cancer.

Background

This study aims to reveal how the knowledge and attitudes of students of the Faculty of Engineering, University of North Sumatra regarding smoking as a risk factor for lung cancer. Observational descriptive research with the cross-sectional approach was conducted from July to November 2020, involving 98 students of the Strata 1 Program Faculty of Engineering, University of North Sumatra chosen with the technique Simple Random Sampling. Data obtained through questionnaires and secondary data from USU student directory, then analyzed univariate.

Methodology

The research methodology used in this study is observational descriptive research with a cross-sectional approach. This approach is suitable for studying the level of knowledge and attitudes of students regarding smoking as a risk factor for lung cancer. The study involved 98 students of the Strata 1 Program Faculty of Engineering, University of North Sumatra, chosen with the technique Simple Random Sampling. The data collection method used was questionnaires and secondary data from USU student directory.

Results

The results of this study showed that the level of knowledge of students of the Faculty of Engineering, University of North Sumatra about smoking as a risk factor for lung cancer was quite sufficient, namely 66.3%. This figure indicates that there are still gaps in students' understanding of the dangers of smoking to health. The main source of information about cigarettes as a risk factor for lung cancer originating from television (52%). Mass media such as television do have a wide range, but the information content is not necessarily in-depth and specific so it might not be enough to build a comprehensive understanding.

Student attitude level is also classified as sufficient (66.3%). This shows that most students have a positive attitude towards the dangers of smoking, but there is still the potential to increase awareness and pro-health behavior. Interestingly, although the majority of students (52.9%) are not smokers, the campus environment is the main place exposed to cigarette smoke (39.8%). This shows that students are still exposed to cigarette smoke even though they are not smokers, which can increase the risk of smoking-related diseases.

This study also found the fact that most students (49%) first knew cigarettes while in elementary school. This finding underlines the importance of anti-smoking education early on to prevent smoking habits at a young age.

Discussion

The results of this study are a reflection of the importance of comprehensive and sustainable educational programs to increase student knowledge and attitudes towards the dangers of smoking. Health campaigns, school-based education, and provision of accurate and easily accessible sources of information are important steps to build awareness and healthy living behavior among students. In addition, it is necessary to make efforts to create a campus environment that is smoke-free, minimizing exposure to cigarette smoke for students, and supporting students to live a healthy life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of increasing student knowledge and attitudes towards the dangers of smoking, especially as a risk factor for lung cancer. The results of this study suggest that there are still gaps in students' understanding of the dangers of smoking to health, and that most students have a positive attitude towards the dangers of smoking. However, there is still the potential to increase awareness and pro-health behavior. Therefore, it is essential to implement comprehensive and sustainable educational programs to increase student knowledge and attitudes towards the dangers of smoking.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

  1. Implement comprehensive and sustainable educational programs: Health campaigns, school-based education, and provision of accurate and easily accessible sources of information are important steps to build awareness and healthy living behavior among students.
  2. Create a smoke-free campus environment: Efforts should be made to create a campus environment that is smoke-free, minimizing exposure to cigarette smoke for students.
  3. Support students to live a healthy life: Students should be supported to live a healthy life, free from the risks of smoking-related diseases.
  4. Implement anti-smoking education early on: Anti-smoking education should be implemented early on, especially in elementary school, to prevent smoking habits at a young age.

By implementing these recommendations, it is hoped that the level of knowledge and attitudes of students of the Faculty of Engineering, University of North Sumatra regarding smoking as a risk factor for lung cancer will improve, and that the prevalence of smoking among students will decrease.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Level of Knowledge and Attitudes of Students of the Faculty of Engineering, University of North Sumatra about Smoking as a Risk Factor for Lung Cancer in 2020

Q&A

Q: What is the main cause of cancer death? A: Lung cancer is the main cause of cancer death.

Q: What is the prevalence of smokers in Indonesia? A: Indonesia ranks fifth in the world and the second in Southeast Asia in terms of the prevalence of smokers.

Q: What is the main source of information about cigarettes as a risk factor for lung cancer? A: The main source of information about cigarettes as a risk factor for lung cancer is television (52%).

Q: What is the level of knowledge of students of the Faculty of Engineering, University of North Sumatra about smoking as a risk factor for lung cancer? A: The level of knowledge of students of the Faculty of Engineering, University of North Sumatra about smoking as a risk factor for lung cancer is quite sufficient, namely 66.3%.

Q: What is the attitude level of students of the Faculty of Engineering, University of North Sumatra about smoking as a risk factor for lung cancer? A: The attitude level of students of the Faculty of Engineering, University of North Sumatra about smoking as a risk factor for lung cancer is also classified as sufficient (66.3%).

Q: What is the main place exposed to cigarette smoke for students? A: The campus environment is the main place exposed to cigarette smoke for students (39.8%).

Q: At what age do most students first know cigarettes? A: Most students (49%) first knew cigarettes while in elementary school.

Q: What is the importance of anti-smoking education? A: Anti-smoking education is important to prevent smoking habits at a young age.

Q: What are the recommendations for increasing student knowledge and attitudes towards the dangers of smoking? A: The recommendations are:

  1. Implement comprehensive and sustainable educational programs.
  2. Create a smoke-free campus environment.
  3. Support students to live a healthy life.
  4. Implement anti-smoking education early on.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this Q&A article provides answers to frequently asked questions about the level of knowledge and attitudes of students of the Faculty of Engineering, University of North Sumatra about smoking as a risk factor for lung cancer in 2020. The article highlights the importance of increasing student knowledge and attitudes towards the dangers of smoking and provides recommendations for implementing comprehensive and sustainable educational programs to achieve this goal.

References

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Disclaimer

The information provided in this article is for general information purposes only and should not be considered as professional advice. If you have any specific questions or concerns, please consult a qualified healthcare professional or a relevant expert in the field.