Jeanne Benson

Abstract

Even though there has been a significant decrease in the number of adults who smoke in recent years, adolescents are initiating the habit at an alarming rate. Cigarette smoking is the number one preventable cause of death and illness in the United States. The purpose of this quasi­ experiment al pretest/posttest study was to explore the knowledge levels and attitudes of college students in Northeast Mississippi regarding cigarette smoking. The study was guided by two null hypotheses. The convenience sample consisted of 53 college students enrolled in a public community college in Northeast Mississippi. The Cigarette Smoking Questionnaire was utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching session. Statistical Analysis Series (SAS) software and the Fisher's Exact Test were used to analyze the data. The findings of this study indicated that the college students had a baseline knowledge level of smoking health risks and addiction. There is evidence that the teaching program positively impacted student choices for knowledge. However, overall 1 1 1 knowledge was not improved. The researcher determined that attitudes were similar from pretest to posttest. The researcher failed to reject both hypotheses. Implications for nursing include that family nurse practitioners must assess the knowledge and attitudes of college students related to smoking and be responsible for the education of youth regarding the health risks associated with this behavior. Recommendations for further study include replication of the study using a younger, larger sample and a more diverse ethnic, racial, and educational composition.

Degree

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Department

Graduate Nursing

Degree Date

8-1-1999

Publication Number

27924542

First Advisor

Linda S. Cox

Document Type

Thesis

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