Study on the Level of Smoking and Health Risk Behaviors among University Students

Abstract

Background: In a study conducted in the United States, there is a possibility of negative health effects due to risky behavior. Most smokers (88%) started using tobacco before the age of 18years. In recent years, the use of e-cigarettes has increased in Mongolia, which can be seen by the fact that someone around us is using them. All tobacco products are addictive and involve risky behaviors. Risky behaviors are behaviors that pose a risk of harming one’s own or others’ health, causing morbidity or mortality. Therefore, there is no study on the level of smoking dependence and risky behavior among students, which is the basis of our study. Aim: The study is aimed to evaluate the risky behavior and cigarette smoking among students who are studying the school of university. Material and Methods: The study was conducted by using a cross sectional design and a quantitative research method. All students of the School of Nursing, MNUMS were included. First to fourth course students of nursing school were included on a voluntary basis. Results: In the study, 87.8% of participants were female and 12.2% were male student. Furthermore, 50.2% of respondents are smokers. When the physical nicotine dependence test was taken from smoking students, moderate to high levels of dependence were identified, indicating there is behavioral risk. Risk behaviors are associated with factors such as safety, violence, bullying, feelings of sadness, use of tobacco and drugs, consumption of alcoholic beverages, changes in sexual orientation, and body weight. Conclusions: 1. The students have limited scientific understanding and explanation regarding tobacco use. 2. Among the study participants, 5.4% had a very low level of dependence, 34% had a low level, 24.3% had a moderate level, 35.6% had a high level, and 0.54% had a very high level of dependence. 3. Risk behaviors related to health include tobacco use, alcohol consumption, marijuana use, bullying and violence, sexual activity, feelings of sadness or suicidal thoughts, screen dependence, and consumption of cola beverages.