Tobaksvanor och kunskaper om tobak och dess effekter i munhålan

: En enkätstudie bland sjuksköterske-, tandhygienist- och folkhälsopedagogstudenter vid Högskolan Kristianstad

Abstract

The use of tobacco has today become an important question in the public health work since smoking and snuff use has a negative impact on general as well as oral health. Despite this, almost one out of four Swedish women and one out of five Swedish men are current smokers. The aim of this study was to survey tobacco habits among first grade students of nursing, dental hygiene and public health and to study the students’ knowledge about tobacco and its effects on the oral cavity. The study was carried out as a questionnaire survey where 121 questionnaires were handed out to the students of the three programmes. The result showed that 7% of the students were daily smokers and 17% were occasional smokers. The largest share of smokers was found at the dental hygienist programme. Only 4% of the students were current snuff users. Lung cancer, COPD and cardio vascular disease were the states of illnesses most students associated with tobacco use. Regarding the effects on the oral cavity, the students found strong connections to several of the listed conditions. Smoking was mainly associated with oral halitosis, tooth staining and oral cancer, while the use of snuff was also associated with corrosion damage to the oral mucous membrane. The students showed relatively good knowledge about tobacco and its health effects. Despite this, a large part of the students was current smokers, which indicates that knowledge alone does not make young people refrain from tobacco use.