Abstract
Aim: We compared recognition of the issue of secondhand smoke among student nurses according to the levels of anti-smoking education they had received before nursing school entry.
Method: We analyzed student nurses’ self-reported questionnaires.
Results: The smoking rate among all subjects was 1.3%. Overall, 67.1% of all subjects were trying to avoid secondhand smoke. In terms of recognition of the harm caused by secondhand smoke, students who understood “the influence on pregnant women” and the relationship between secondhand smoke and “bronchial asthma” and “periodontal disease” had received significantly more education sessions about secondhand smoke than had those who did not understand these issues. Moreover, among students who had first received education sessions at elementary school about secondhand smoke, significantly more students understood “the influence on pregnant women” and the relationship between secondhand smoke and “periodontal disease” than did not understand these issues. Furthermore, students who had first received education sessions at elementary school about secondhand smoke understood significantly more harmful effects of passive smoking than did students who had not received such education. However, there were no significant differences in rates of avoidance of secondhand smoke and the number of times anti-smoking education had been received before nursing school entry.
Discussion: The anti-smoking education received before entry to nursing school may influence a student nurse’s knowledge and recognition of the issues associated with secondhand smoke.
Conclusion: To raise student recognition of secondhand smoke issues, continuous and developmental education from an early stage is important.
