Effects of an educational intervention about tobacco use in a School of Medicine

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Although physicians know the adverse effects of tobacco use, smoking prevalence among them and medical students remains high. OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of an educational intervention on 4th year medical student knowledge and attitudes about tobacco use. METHODS: A randomized cluster trial was conducted among 4th year medical students of the University of Buenos Aires. It consisted of dictating a course about tobacco control and assessing the effects of the intervention 3 months later. RESULTS: 354 students were invited to participate, and 299 (84%) accepted. 70% were women, 26% had a job and 20% lived alone. The median age was 23 years. Eighty eight students (29%) were smokers, of whom 50 (57%) smoked daily; 78% of the smokers were women. 51% of respondents were exposed to second hand smoke (SHS) at their home and 90% were exposed to it outside their homes. Ninety seven percent of participants had never received any teaching about smoking cessation and an even higher percentage considered that they should have it. Forty percent of respondents considered that medical advice for smoking cessation was not effective. No significant changes in smoking prevalence, exposure to second hand smoke and perception of helpfulness of medical advice were observed after the implementation of the educational intervention. CONCLUSION: Providing knowledge on tobacco did not change student consumption, attitudes or knowledge about tobacco.