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- Title
THE RELATIONSHIP OF FIELD OF STUDY TO CURRENT SMOKING STATUS AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS.
- Authors
Berg, Carla J.; Klatt, Colleen M.; Thomas, Janet L.; Ahluwalia, Jasjit S.; An, Lawrence C.
- Abstract
Problem: No research to date has examined smoking rates among the different fields of study and smoking among college students. Thus, this study aimed to determine if smoking prevalence vary among students in the different fields of study. Method: An online health behavior survey was administered to 25,000 students (n=6,492; 26% response rate). Results: Smoking prevalence (>1 cigarette in past 30 days) among our sample was 28.5%. Field of study was associated with smoking (p<0.001). The highest rates were among those in "Communications, languages, or cultural studies" (37.4%); "Social services and human services" (34.0%); the "Arts, design, or performing arts" (30.8%); and "Business" (30.2%). The lowest rates were among those in "Mathematics, engineering, and sciences" (21.0%). These differences persist after controlling for demographic, psychosocial, and other health behavior variables. Conclusions: Students within certain fields of study are at high risk for smoking. Research should further validate these findings. Pending further support, additional work should investigate reasons for differential smoking rates and aim to develop cessation programs targeting high-risk students.
- Subjects
SMOKING; COLLEGE students; HUMAN behavior; TOBACCO use; SURVEYS; ORAL habits; HEALTH behavior; CULTURAL studies; HUMANITIES education; PERFORMING arts education
- Publication
College Student Journal, 2009, Vol 43, Issue 3, p744
- ISSN
0146-3934
- Publication type
Article