Relationship between nicotine dependence and health anxiety in Trakya University Faculty of Medicine 6th grade students

The study aimed to evaluate the nicotine addiction levels and health anxiety of Trakya University Faculty of Medicine 6th grade students. Our research is a cross-sectional study conducted on 6th grade students of Trakya University Faculty of Medicine in 2023. 178 senior students studying at Trakya University Faculty of Medicine were included in the study. The survey form used in the research consists of three parts: socio-demographic characteristics, Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence and Health Anxiety Scale. The ages of the students in the study group ranged between 23-27 years and the mean (SD) was found to be 23.89±0.89 years. The Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence average score of 86 6th grade students who smoked in the study group was 4.35±2.76, and the median (minimum-maximum) value was determined as 5.0 (0.0-10.0). Of the students who smoked, 36 (41.9%) had a medium level of addiction, 31 (36.0%) had a low level of addiction, and 19 (22.1%) had a high level of addiction. High nicotine addiction levels were detected less frequently in women. Among the students in the study group, a high level of nicotine addiction was detected in those whose primary health care doctor was a familiar one. The mean (SD) score of the students Health Anxiety Scale was 17.26±8.61 and the median (min-max) was 17.0 (0.0-42.0). No correlation was detected between the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence and Health Anxiety Scale subscales and the total score of the 6th grade medical students in the study group. The prevalence of smoking among the 6th grade students of the Faculty of Medicine in our study was found to be 48.3%, and one in every two students was found to be smoking. Although smoking does not have a direct correlation with health anxiety, detailed studies on this subject are needed.