Çelik Fatma Gül Nur, Demirel Göksun
Çukurova University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, Adana, Türkiye.
Turk J Pharm Sci. 2022 Aug 31;19(4):416-421. doi: 10.4274/tjps.galenos.2021.26985.
Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has a massive impact on human health, causing sudden lifestyle changes. As it affects health, determining the lifestyles of university students related to smoking has gained importance. This study provides evidence of change in smoking behavior among university students in Türkiye during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
This cross-sectional survey study was conducted an electronic questionnaire approximately 2020-2021 among university students in Türkiye. The study comprised a structured questionnaire that inquired about demographic information; and the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence. The questionnaire was distributed randomly to university students; it required 6 min to complete.
A total of 749 respondents were included in the study, aged between 19 and 35 years (54.8% females). Of 749 participants, 571 health science students (medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, ) completed the survey. The pre-pandemic and COVID-19 pandemic mean nicotine dependence scores were 3.03 and 2.97, respectively. A difference was seen pre-pandemic (= 0.002) and during pandemic (= 0.005) for those studying in health and other departments. Students who had middle socio-economical status had significantly higher nicotine dependence scores pre- COVID-19, compared to during the pandemic (= 0.027). Compared to pre and during the pandemic, the mean score of dependence was significantly lower in students, whose parents were non-smokers during the pandemic.
In this study, we have provided the first data on the Turkish university student's nicotine dependence changes during the COVID-19 lockdown. The nicotine dependence level may change based on various factors including behavioral changes. Crucial times such as pandemics can affect individuals, thus, smoking addiction can increase. Behavioral support for quitting smoking such as digital platforms, internet, and television programs should also assist to support smokers quitting successfully during this supreme time.
2019年冠状病毒病（COVID-19）大流行对人类健康产生了巨大影响，导致生活方式突然改变。由于其影响健康，确定大学生与吸烟相关的生活方式变得至关重要。本研究提供了在持续的COVID-19大流行期间土耳其大学生吸烟行为变化的证据。
这项横断面调查研究于2020 - 2021年期间通过电子问卷对土耳其大学生进行。该研究包括一份结构化问卷，询问人口统计学信息；以及尼古丁依赖的法格斯特龙测试。问卷随机分发给大学生；完成问卷需要6分钟。
共有749名受访者纳入研究，年龄在19至35岁之间（54.8%为女性）。在749名参与者中，571名健康科学专业学生（医学、药学、牙科等）完成了调查。大流行前和COVID-19大流行期间的平均尼古丁依赖得分分别为3.03和2.97。在健康科学专业和其他专业学习的学生在大流行前（=0.002）和大流行期间（=0.005）存在差异。社会经济地位中等的学生在COVID-19之前的尼古丁依赖得分显著高于大流行期间（=0.027）。与大流行前和大流行期间相比，父母在大流行期间不吸烟的学生的依赖平均得分显著更低。
在本研究中，我们提供了关于COVID-19封锁期间土耳其大学生尼古丁依赖变化的首批数据。尼古丁依赖水平可能会因包括行为变化在内的各种因素而改变。大流行等关键时期会影响个人，因此，吸烟成瘾可能会增加。诸如数字平台、互联网和电视节目等戒烟行为支持也应有助于在这个关键时期支持吸烟者成功戒烟。
