The effect of motivational interview initiative on university students' self-efficacy-sufficiency level and smoking cessation decisions

Objective: The aim of the study is to examine the effect of motivational interview initiative on university students' self-efficacy-sufficiency level and smoking cessation decisions. Materials and Methods: The research was carried out in a randomized controlled trial between 1st year university students who smoked and wanted to smoke cessation between April 2021 and December 2021. The study was completed with a total of 64 students, 32 in the experimental group and 32 in the control group. Transtheoretical model-based motivational interviews (first interview, 1st month and 3rd month) were conducted with the students in the experimental group. Intervention was not made for the control group. The data were collected from both groups with Student Identification Form, Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, Self-Efficacy-Sufficiency Scale (SESS), Decisional Balance Scale (DBS), Behavioral Change Stage Diagnostic Form, and Questionnaire on Smoking Urges (QSU). Data were evaluated by descriptive statistics, Mann Whitney-U, chi-square, ANOVA, and Analysis of Variance with Repeated Measures. Results: It was determined that the smoking cessation rate of the students in the experimental group, in which motivational interview was conducted, was 37.5%, and 9.4% in the control group. It was detected that nicotine addiction scores decreased significantly over time in both groups (p<0.05). There was no significant difference between the experimental and control groups in terms of SESS and QSU scores (p>0.05). While there was no significant difference between the groups in the DBS scores of the students at the first interview (p=0.184), 1st month (p=0.208) and 3rd month (p=0.056) interviews (p>0.05), significant difference was found at the 6th month interview (p=0.014) (p<0.05). Conclusion: The smoking cessation rates and DBS scores of the experimental group students who were given motivational interviews by the nurse were higher than the control group. It is recommended to establish and spread units where students who want to smoke cessation can apply and receive counseling in universities. KeyWords: Student, Smoking Cessation, Self-Efficacy-Sufficiency, Transtheoretical Model, Nurse.