Cigarette consumption in students of the University of Medical Sciences of Cienfuegos

Abstract

Introduction: cigarette consumption currently represents one of the main public health problems, since the number of young smokers increases every year. Objective: to describe the consumption of cigarettes in students of the Medicine career of the University of Medical Sciences of Cienfuegos, during the year 2020. 

Method: observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study developed during the year 2020. The universe consisted of 90 Medicine students from the University of Medical Sciences of Cienfuegos, who show their willingness to participate in the study. It worked with its entirety. The variables sex, cigarette consumption, age of initiation of consumption, frequency of consumption, and presence of smoking cohabitants were studied. Descriptive statistics were used. 

Results: smokers students (52.2%) and males (68,1 %) predominated. The most frequent age of onset of cigarette smoking was between 11 and 20 years (66 %). Most of the students smoked occasionally (59.6%) and 53.33% had partner smokers. 

Conclusions: most of the surveyed students consume cigarettes during their university life, especially those of the male sex. The onset of this addiction predominated during adolescence and occasional use. A large number of them have cohabitants who are smokers.