scholarly journals Tobacco Smoking Habits, Attitudes, and Beliefs among Albanian Nurse Students

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ylli Vakeffliu ◽  
Silvana Bala ◽  
Rudina Pirushi ◽  
Kujtime Vakeffliu ◽  
Jul Bushati ◽  
...  

Background. Available information about tobacco smoking habits, attitudes, and beliefs among Albanian nurse students shows some discrepancies and requires further investigation. Material and Methods. Cross-sectional school-based survey using a self-administered anonymous questionnaire in the Tirana Nurse University in December 2012 about tobacco smoking habits, attitudes, and beliefs. Results. Sixty hundred fifty one students (mean age 20.0 years; males 19%, females 81%) completed the questionnaire with an overall response rate of 87%. Current smokers were 19%; of this group, 37% of males and 49% of females were occasional smokers. Among current smokers, males smoked more than females (46% versus 13%; P<0.01). The knowledge about smoking was generic; only a part (24%) of students reported having received a formal specific training on smoking related issues. The percentage of current smokers who reported at least one serious attempt to quit was 64%. Most students (78%) reported recent exposure to second hand smoke at home. Most students (84%) were felt to be a model of healthy lifestyle, but only a part (42% of the total) was recognized to have a role in advising smokers to quit. Conclusions. Smoking habits of Albanian nurse students are not higher than those of other European countries and Albanian population of similar age and gender. Our students showed many positive attitudes towards tobacco. Targeted training about smoking related issues should be mandatory in nursing schools.

Author(s):  
Vsevolod Konstantinov ◽  
Alexander Reznik ◽  
Masood Zangeneh ◽  
Valentina Gritsenko ◽  
Natallia Khamenka ◽  
...  

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of foreign students toward the use of medical cannabis (MC) for pain management. Methods: This study uses data collected from 549 foreign students from India (n = 289) and Middle Eastern countries mostly from Egypt, Iran, Syria, and Jordan (n = 260) studying medicine in Russia and Belarus. Data collected from Russian and Belarusian origin medical students (n = 796) were used for comparison purposes. Pearson’s chi-squared and t-test were used to analyze the data. Results: Foreign students’ country of origin and gender statuses do not tend to be correlated with medical student responses toward medical cannabis use. Students from Russia and Belarus who identified as secular, compared to those who were religious, reported more positive attitudes toward medical cannabis and policy change. Conclusions: This study is the first to examine the attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs toward medical cannabis among foreign students from India and Middle Eastern countries studying in Russia and Belarus, two countries who oppose its recreational and medicine use. Indian and Middle Eastern students, as a group, tend to be more supportive of MC than their Russian and Belarusian counterparts. These results may be linked to cultural and historical reasons. This study provides useful information for possible medical and allied health curriculum and education purposes.


BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. e031569
Author(s):  
Nitsan Landau ◽  
Uri Hamiel ◽  
Itay Tokatly Latzer ◽  
Elinor Mauda ◽  
Noah Levek ◽  
...  

ObjectiveThe number of transgender and gender non-conforming children is on the rise. For these children, the timing of medical intervention is crucial, yet transgender children report poorer overall physical and mental health outcomes compared with their cisgender peers. We aim to describe how paediatricians perceive transgender people.SettingThe ‘Transgender Attitudes and Beliefs Scale’, which consists of 29 items in three domains—human value, interpersonal comfort and sex/gender beliefs—was administered to 391 senior and resident paediatricians in Israel. The responses on a 7-point Likert scale were collapsed into two categories: a mean score of ≥6 for each domain was a ‘Favourable’ perception and <6 ‘Unfavourable’.ResultsOf 355 respondents (91% response rate), 221 (62%) were females, 132 (37%) were males and 2 identified as ‘other’; 290 (82%) were born in ‘trans-respect countries’, 274 (77%) identified as secular, 223 (63%) were senior physicians and 132 (27%) were residents. Overall, 90% of the cohort scored favourably on the ‘Human value’ domain, 68% on ‘Interpersonal comfort’ and 40% on ‘Sex/gender beliefs’. In the ‘Interpersonal comfort’ domain, being a man, birthplace in a transphobic country, identification as religious and being a senior physician were all associated with increased ORs for an unfavourable score: 2.1 (95% CI 1.3 to 3.4), 3.4 (95% CI 1.9 to 6.3), 2.4 (95% CI 1.4 to 4.2) and 1.8 (95% CI 1.1 to 3.0), respectively. In the ‘Sex/gender beliefs’ domain, being a man and identifying as religious had significantly increased ORs for unfavourable scores: 2.2 (95% CI 1.3 to 3.5) and 10.6 (95% CI 4.7 to 24.1), respectively.ConclusionsNegative attitudes towards transgender people are still widespread among paediatricians. Interventions are warranted to positively impact these attitudes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 138s-138s
Author(s):  
C.J. Francis

Background: India is the world's third largest tobacco-growing country. The Indian scenario as far as tobacco consumption is concerned is far worse because of the prevalence of the tobacco chewing habit which covers a wide spectrum of socioeconomic and ethnic groups and is spread over urbanized area as well as remote village. Tobacco use is alarming in terms of its current and projected future impact on global mortality. Recent shift in global tobacco consumption to developing countries indicate that an estimated 930 million of the world's 1.1 billon in India alone. Despite the facts, that the harmful effects of tobacco chewing and smoking are widely known, many young people start smoking during adolescence, largely because they believe that smoking will boost their social acceptability and image. This study was contemplated with an aim to assess tobacco/smoking habits and awareness about antismoking act among general public in Gurgaon, Haryana, India. Method: A structured questionnaire consisting of 14 questions related to tobacco/smoking habits and awareness about antismoking act were asked to general public and their response was recorded. Random sampling method was used and data were collected from a cross-sectional survey. Antitobacco counseling was given on the spot and followed. Results: The study population consisted of total 430 individuals, male 364 (84.65%) and females 66 (15.34%) . Then the questionnaires were asked and statistically analyzed. Around 286 (78.57%) from 364 male were indulged in some form of tobacco usage (smoker = 32.86%, tobacco chewer = 16.78%, both = 11.18%, alcohol + tobacco user = 21.67%). In the current study, most common cause of tobacco use was pleasure 40.5%, inducing factor were friends 53.1% followed by parents and siblings. 36.20% patients used tobacco as second hand exposure in job places. 54.8% were aware about the antismoking act in public places, so only 8.6% people from all males enrolled, were smoking in public places.


2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 589-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margarita Díaz ◽  
Maeve Brito de Mello ◽  
Maria Helena de Sousa ◽  
Francisco Cabral ◽  
Ricardo de Castro e Silva ◽  
...  

Three different school-based sex education and citizenship programs in public schools in Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, and Salvador, Brazil, were evaluated in a cross-sectional study comparing knowledge, attitudes, and practices in sexuality, citizenship, and gender issues among adolescents participating in the programs' activities as compared to adolescents enrolled in schools without such programs (controls). Results showed that Salvador's program achieved good results, with significant changes in knowledge on sexuality and reproductive physiology, attitudes regarding citizenship, and current use of modern contraceptives; Rio de Janeiro's program succeeded in improving students' knowledge of reproductive physiology and attitudes towards sexuality; Belo Horizonte's participants showed greater knowledge of reproductive physiology and STI/HIV prevention but had less positive attitudes towards gender issues, while reporting greater sexual activity. The main difference between Salvador's program and the others was the focus on creative and cultural activities; Belo Horizonte's main difference was its lack of interaction with health services and professionals. However, after the evaluation Belo Horizonte reframed its educational strategies and launched a scaling-up process in a joint effort with the health and school systems.


2013 ◽  
Vol 102 (7) ◽  
pp. e305-e309 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Martín-Pujol ◽  
Esteve Fernández ◽  
Anna Schiaffino ◽  
Albert Moncada ◽  
Carles Ariza ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 883-883
Author(s):  
Tianyuan Li ◽  
Pok Man Siu

Abstract It is important but always challenging to restrain from immediate temptations and behave conscientiously for long-term goals. Constructive interactions with older adults may promote young adults’ positive attitudes about aging. With a brighter later adulthood in mind, young adults may then demonstrate a higher level of future-oriented tendency in their behaviors. The current study recruited 371 college students (Mage = 22.43, SDage = 2.88; 203 females) from Hong Kong. They completed an online survey about their interaction with the closest grandparent, attitudes about aging, and measures related to future-oriented tendencies (i.e., consideration of future consequences, healthy lifestyle, and impulsiveness). Parental intimacy and demographic information were assessed as potential covariates. Supporting the hypotheses, more interaction with grandparents was related to more positive attitudes about aging, β = .40, SE = .11, p &lt; .001. More positive attitudes about aging was then related to more consideration of future consequences, β = .14, SE = .07, p = .03, healthier lifestyle, β = .16, SE = .06, p = .005, and less impulsivity, β = -.10, SE = .03, p &lt; .001. Bootstrapping tests for the indirect effects from interaction with grandparents to the future-oriented outcomes through positive attitudes about aging were all significant as well. Although the current cross-sectional data could not confirm the causal links among the variables, the results provide some initial insight on how older adults can foster a long-term orientation in younger generations and contribute to the sustainable development of our societies through constructive intergenerational interactions.


Author(s):  
Olusola Ayandele ◽  
Rotimi Oguntayo ◽  
P O Olapegba

In this cross-sectional survey study, we investigated gambling characteristics (“quick” money syndrome, frequency of gambling, preferred gambling products and platforms) and demographic (age and gender) differences as determinants of attitudes towards gambling among youths in Lagos. We used a purposive snowball technique to recruit 179 respondents in Lagos (men: n = 165 [83.8% of participants]; women: n = 32) with a history of gambling activities. Gambling characteristics, demographics, and attitudes towards gambling were measured by using a gambling characteristics profile, the bio-data of the respondents, and the short form of the Attitudes Towards Gambling Scale (ATGS-8), respectively. The results showed that respondents believed that to make quick money, one needed to gamble once a week or more (67%), wager on sports betting (37.1%), and bet online (65.5%). The mean ATGS-8 composite score (28.2 ± 4.75) indicated overall positive attitudes among respondents. Independent sample t tests showed a significant difference between older (24–34 years) and younger (18–23 years) youths in their attitudes towards gambling (t = -2.30, p < .05) but no significant gender differences (t = 0.06, p > .05). One-way analysis of variance revealed a significant difference in attitudes towards gambling based on gambling frequency, F(3, 196) = 6.86, p < .05, with those who gamble monthly having the highest score. Participants displayed the belief that the easiest way to quick money is to gamble at least once weekly and to bet online. Younger participants and those who gamble at least once a month reported more positive attitudes towards gambling. Youths need to be made aware that gambling is not a viable source of income.RésuméCette étude s’est penchée sur les caractéristiques de la pratique des jeux de hasard (syndrome de l’argent « facile », fréquence du jeu, produits et plateformes des jeux de choix) et les différences démographiques (âge et genre) en tant que déterminants des attitudes envers le jeu chez les jeunes au Lagos. Un échantillon de 197 joueurs (hommes; n = 165 [83,8% des participants], femmes ; n = 32) a été choisi à dessein à l’aide d’un sondage en boule de neige aux endroits suivants :  guichets de paris sportifs, kiosques de loterie, centres de visualisation de matches de football, centres commerciaux, centres de détente et parcs de sport automobile à Lagos, au Nigeria. Les attitudes ont été mesurées à l’aide de l’échelle des attitudes envers les jeux de hasard (ATGS-8). Les résultats montraient que les répondants croyaient que pour gagner de l’argent facilement aux jeux de hasard, il fallait jouer au moins une fois par semaine (67 %), faire des paris sportifs (37,1%), et parier en ligne (65,5 %). Le pointage combiné moyen de l’ATGS-8 (2,2 ± 4,75) indiquait dans l’ensemble des attitudes positives chez les répondants; un test t sur échantillon indépendant a révélé une différence importante dans l’attitude envers les jeux de hasard entre les joueurs jeunes plus âgés et plus jeunes (t =-2.30, p < 0.05), mais aucune différence significative entre les genres (t = 0.06, p > 0.05). L’analyse de variance à un critère de classification révèle des différences importantes dans les attitudes envers les jeux de hasard en fonction de la fréquence de la pratique de ces jeux (F (3 196) =6.86, p < 0.05); et ceux qui jouent tous les mois obtenaient le pointage le plus élevé. Les participants démontraient irréfutablement la conviction selon laquelle le moyen le plus facile de faire de l’argent facile est de jouer à des jeux de hasard au moins une fois par semaine et de parier en ligne. Les participants plus jeunes et ceux qui s’adonnent aux jeux de hasard au moins une fois par mois faisaient preuve d’attitudes plus positives à l’égard des jeux de hasard. Il faut faire comprendre aux jeunes que la pratique des jeux de hasard ne représente pas une source de revenu viable.


Author(s):  
Kelly Kathleen O’Brien ◽  
Matthieu Dagenais ◽  
Patricia Solomon ◽  
Catherine Worthington ◽  
Soo Chan Carusone ◽  
...  

Objective: To examine the type and frequency of living strategies used by adults living with HIV. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional web-based survey that included 51 living strategies: maintaining sense of control, attitudes and beliefs, blocking HIV out of the mind, and social interaction. We examined the frequency of use and compared the proportion of respondents who engaged in strategies across 3 age-groups (<40 years, 40-49 years, and ≥50 years). Results: Of the 935 participants, the majority were men (79%) and most (≥60%) engaged “most” or “all of the time” in healthy lifestyle strategies and maintained a positive outlook living with HIV. Compared to younger participants, a higher proportion of older adults (≥50 years) engaged “most” or “all the time” in strategies that involved maintaining control over health and adopting positive attitudes and outlook living with HIV. Conclusions: Findings can help to inform the role of self-management to enhance successful aging with HIV.


Crisis ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Sandford ◽  
Olivia J. Kirtley ◽  
Ginette Lafit ◽  
Richard Thwaites ◽  
Rory C. O'Connor

Abstract. Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the factor structure of the Attitudes to Suicide Prevention Scale (ASPS). Method: The ASPS was distributed to all staff in a UK National Health Service Trust ( N = 957). We conducted an exploratory factor analysis followed by a confirmatory factor analysis by splitting the data 60/40 into training and testing subsets. A multiple regression analysis was carried out to investigate whether the overall scale score varied as a function of professional role, age, and gender and whether respondents had completed suicide prevention training or not. Results: Two items displaying poor item-scale correlation were excluded from the factor analysis and a further item was excluded as it was based on different anchor points. For the remaining 11 items, no adequate factor structure emerged. The scale total demonstrated statistically significant differences in attitudes between staff groups (defined by attendance at suicide awareness or prevention training, by gender, and by level of patient contact), but not between groups defined by age range. Generally, however, there were positive attitudes across all Trust staff. Limitations: This study had a low response rate (24%) and was cross-sectional which limits the conclusions that could be drawn. Furthermore, other areas such as convergent validity and test–retest reliability were not examined. Conclusion: Our findings found no satisfactory factor structure for the ASPS. Further scale development would be beneficial.


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