Knowledge, attitude and behavior of university students about tobacco products and electronic cigarette and carbon monoxide levels in hatay

Aim: The aim of our study is to reveal the knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of the students studying at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University about tobacco products and electronic cigarette use and to determine the carbon monoxide level. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019-2020 for students studying at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University in Hatay. The population of the study is a total of 13021 students studying at Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, and the sample of the study was 905 students selected by the multistage sampling method. A questionnaire form created by us and the Fagerstom Test for Nicotine Dependence were used as measurement tools. The higher the score on the scale, the higher the nicotine addiction level (0-10 points). In addition, carbon monoxide was measured in the breath of the participants with a carbon monoxide measuring device. Chi-Square, Mann Whitney-U, Kruskal Wallis, correlation tests were used, p<0.05 was accepted significant. Results: The prevalence of tobacco product trials was 69.7% and the prevalence of use was 54.8%. The electronic cigarette trial prevalence was 18.5% and the prevalence of using it in the last month was 6.6%. The mean scale score was 3.14±2.86 and the very low-low dependency prevalence was 73.7%. The mean carbon monoxide level was 7.55±7.39 ppm. The carbon monoxide level was higher in cigarette and tobacco product users (p<0.001). As the level of dependence increased according to the scale, the carbon monoxide level increased (p<0.001). There was a high correlation between scale scores and carbon monoxide levels (p<0.001). Conclusion: It was observed that approximately three quarters of the students tried tobacco products and more than half of them used it. It was observed that approximately one out of every five students has tried electronic cigarettes. Key words: Tobacco, electronic cigarette, nicotine addiction, carbon monoxide