Abstract
Objectives: To clarify the smoking status and associated factors among healthcare university students.
Methods: An anonymous self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among students at a healthcare
university (n=393). Associations between smoking status and year of study and environmental factors were
examined using chi-square tests. Among smokers, the relationships between nicotine dependence–related
indicators and the number of cigarettes smoked per day were analyzed using the Kruskal–Wallis test.
Furthermore, multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors independently
associated with smoking status.
Results: Thirty-six students (9.2%) were current smokers. Smoking status was significantly associated with
year of study (p < 0.01) and the smoking environment at part-time workplaces (p = 0.031). In the multivariable
logistic regression analysis, year of study (OR = 2.305, 95% CI: 1.515–3.507, p < 0.001), smoking environment
at part-time workplaces (OR = 2.338, 95% CI: 1.069–5.113, p = 0.033), and sex (OR = 0.393, 95% CI: 0.169–
0.915, p = 0.030) were independently associated with smoking status. No significant associations were found
for sleep or stress indicators.
Conclusion: Smoking behavior among healthcare university students was associated with progression in
year of study and environmental exposure, particularly the smoking environment at part-time workplaces.
Continuous preventive education and consideration of students’ living environments are warranted.
