Publication: Impact of tobacco control campaigns on smoking behaviors in Thai medical schools
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Issued Date
2017
Resource Type
File Type
application/pdf
ISSN
1252208
Other identifier(s)
2-s2.0-85018790683
Rights Holder(s)
Scopus
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. Vol 100, No.3 (2017), p.339-346
Suggested Citation
Rungruanghiranya S., Ekpanyaskul C. Impact of tobacco control campaigns on smoking behaviors in Thai medical schools. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand. Vol 100, No.3 (2017), p.339-346. Retrieved from: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14740/4218
Author(s)
Abstract
Objective: To explore the changes in the prevalence of smoking behavior, attitudes, and cessation training among medical students after the establishment of the Thai Health Professional Alliance against Tobacco (ThaiPAT) and its major campaigns by using the nationwide Global Health Professions Student Surveys (GHPSS). Material and Method: Multiple cross-sectional studies were conducted after three major campaigns were launched between 2007 and 2011, the Deans’ Summit on Tobacco Control, implemented tobacco control into the medical curriculum, and 100% smoke-free hospitals and medical schools. The results of two rounds of GHPSS among third year medical students across the nation in 2006 and 2011 were compared. Results: Overall prevalence of active cigarette smoking remained unchanged at 2.6%. Passive cigarette smoke exposure in public areas appeared to decrease slightly over time. In the most recent national survey, the prevalence of passive smoke exposure was 53.7%. Moreover, the number of student that agreed with the smoking ban in pubs, bars, and nightclubs increased significantly from 80.8 to 90.5%. There was significant improvement in the cessation training among medical students (p<0.001). A significant increase in the number of student that agreed that healthcare personnel needed specific training in cessation techniques (p = 0.004) and should always advise their patients to quit smoking (p<0.001). Conclusion: Nationwide tobacco control campaigns in Thai medical schools significantly improved the attitudes toward smoking cessation and cessation training among their students, although overall prevalence of active and passive cigarette smoking was unchanged. © 2017, Medical Association of Thailand. All rights reserved.