Relationship Of Knowledge Levels And Attitudes To Smoking Behavior In Faculty Of Medicine, University Of North Sumatra Class 2019 - 2021
The Relationship of Knowledge Levels and Attitudes to Smoking Behavior in Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra Class 2019 - 2021
Introduction
Smoking behavior is one of the most pressing public health concerns worldwide, causing a multitude of diseases and even death for both smokers and those around them. Despite the widespread knowledge of the dangers of smoking, controlling this behavior remains a significant challenge. In this context, this research aims to investigate the relationship between the level of knowledge and attitudes of students from the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, class of 2019-2021, and their smoking behavior.
The Importance of This Study
The primary purpose of this study is to explore the correlation between knowledge, attitudes, and smoking behavior among students of the Faculty of Medicine. This research is crucial because medical students are expected to be role models in living a healthy lifestyle and are also expected to educate the public about the importance of health. As future healthcare professionals, it is essential that they possess the knowledge and attitudes necessary to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent smoking behavior.
Methodology
This research employed an analytical cross-sectional research design. A total of 16 students were identified as active smokers, with 4 of them classified as heavy smokers. This finding is particularly surprising, considering that medical students are expected to be agents of change in promoting a healthy living campaign.
Research Results
The results of the Fisher Exact Test revealed that there is no significant relationship between smoking knowledge and behavior. The findings are as follows:
- The relationship between knowledge and active smoking behavior has a significance value (exact sig) of 0.569.
- The relationship between attitude and active smoking behavior shows a significance value of 0.262.
- For knowledge of inactive smoking behavior, the significance value obtained is 0.074.
- While the relationship between attitude and inactive smoking behavior has a significance value of 0.421.
From these results, it can be concluded that there is no significant relationship between knowledge, attitudes, and dependence on smoking behavior among medical students.
Additional Analysis and Explanation
Although medical students typically possess better knowledge about the dangers of smoking compared to other groups, the results of this study indicate that knowledge is not always directly proportional to behavior changes. One of the primary causes of this phenomenon may lie in social and cultural pressure among their colleagues. Students often try to adjust to their social environment, which might affect their decision to smoke even though they are aware of the risks.
In addition, other factors such as stress, lifestyle, and habits of the family environment can also influence individual decisions to smoke. Thus, only having high knowledge is not enough to stop smoking behavior. A more comprehensive approach that includes education, social support, and mental health interventions may be needed to change smoking behavior among medical students.
Conclusion
From the results of this study, it can be concluded that there is no significant correlation between the level of knowledge and attitudes of students and smoking behavior. This shows the need for further efforts in providing education that not only increases knowledge but also encourages positive changes in behavior among students. Increasing awareness and creating an environment that supports a healthy lifestyle are essential steps that need to be taken.
Implications for Future Research
This study highlights the importance of considering multiple factors that influence smoking behavior among medical students. Future research should focus on developing a comprehensive approach that includes education, social support, and mental health interventions to change smoking behavior among medical students. Additionally, further studies should investigate the role of social and cultural pressure in shaping smoking behavior among medical students.
Recommendations for Practice
Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:
- Educational institutions should provide comprehensive education that not only increases knowledge but also encourages positive changes in behavior among students.
- Healthcare professionals should provide social support and mental health interventions to help students overcome smoking behavior.
- Family and friends should be involved in promoting a healthy lifestyle and preventing smoking behavior among medical students.
By implementing these recommendations, we can work towards creating an environment that supports a healthy lifestyle and prevents smoking behavior among medical students.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About the Relationship of Knowledge Levels and Attitudes to Smoking Behavior in Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra Class 2019 - 2021
Q: What is the main purpose of this study?
A: The main purpose of this study is to explore the correlation between knowledge, attitudes, and smoking behavior among students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, class of 2019-2021.
Q: Why is this study important?
A: This study is important because medical students are expected to be role models in living a healthy lifestyle and are also expected to educate the public about the importance of health. As future healthcare professionals, it is essential that they possess the knowledge and attitudes necessary to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent smoking behavior.
Q: What research design was used in this study?
A: This study employed an analytical cross-sectional research design.
Q: How many students were identified as active smokers in this study?
A: A total of 16 students were identified as active smokers, with 4 of them classified as heavy smokers.
Q: What were the results of the Fisher Exact Test?
A: The results of the Fisher Exact Test revealed that there is no significant relationship between smoking knowledge and behavior. The findings are as follows:
- The relationship between knowledge and active smoking behavior has a significance value (exact sig) of 0.569.
- The relationship between attitude and active smoking behavior shows a significance value of 0.262.
- For knowledge of inactive smoking behavior, the significance value obtained is 0.074.
- While the relationship between attitude and inactive smoking behavior has a significance value of 0.421.
Q: What are the implications of the study's findings?
A: The study's findings suggest that there is no significant correlation between the level of knowledge and attitudes of students and smoking behavior. This shows the need for further efforts in providing education that not only increases knowledge but also encourages positive changes in behavior among students.
Q: What are the recommendations for practice based on the study's findings?
A: Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:
- Educational institutions should provide comprehensive education that not only increases knowledge but also encourages positive changes in behavior among students.
- Healthcare professionals should provide social support and mental health interventions to help students overcome smoking behavior.
- Family and friends should be involved in promoting a healthy lifestyle and preventing smoking behavior among medical students.
Q: What are the limitations of this study?
A: The limitations of this study include the small sample size and the fact that the study was conducted in a single institution.
Q: What are the future directions for research based on the study's findings?
A: Future research should focus on developing a comprehensive approach that includes education, social support, and mental health interventions to change smoking behavior among medical students. Additionally, further studies should investigate the role of social and cultural pressure in shaping smoking behavior among medical students.
Q: How can the study's findings be applied in real-world settings?
A: The study's findings can be applied in real-world settings by providing comprehensive education that not only increases knowledge but also encourages positive changes in behavior among students. Additionally, healthcare professionals can provide social support and mental health interventions to help students overcome smoking behavior.