Prevalence of tobacco USE in University students in Trabzon andaffecting factors

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of tobacco use among students from three universities in Trabzon and the factors affecting it, and to compare the results of three universities with each other. Material and Method: This cross-sectional research was completed with 3988 students at Karadeniz Technical University (KTU) in Trabzon, 1755 students at Trabzon University (TRU), and 715 students at Avrasya University (AVU), with a total of 6445 students. Statistical analyzes were evaluated with the chi-square test, Kruskal Wallis test and the binary logistic regression test using the backward method. Results: The prevalence of tobacco use is 26.9% in university students in Trabzon, 26.2% in KTU, 25.7% in TRU and 33.5% in AVU. Students' use of tobacco; male gender (OR 2.2; 95%CI 1.9-2.5), vocational school education (OR 1.5; 95%CI 1.3-1.8), living in a student residence (OR 1.9) ; 95%CI 1.6-2.3, living in a dormitory (OR 1.3; 95%CI 1.1-1.6), maternal tobacco use (OR 1.5; 95%CI 1.3- 1.8), paternal tobacco use (OR 1.4; 95%CI 1.2-1.6), and spouse/lover/close friend tobacco use (OR 5.2; 95%CI 4.6-6 ,0) is associated with. Conclusion: A higher prevalence was found than in many previous studies. According to the identified risk factors; In order to reduce stress and enjoy, sports and social activities should be planned on campus, and information activities should be planned for health effects, support centers should be established to stop smoking and tobacco use should be restricted on campuses. Priority should be given to women as well as men in intervention programs, programs should be started from faculties other than health sciences, and students' close friends, spouses, lovers, parents should be included.