Social and environmental interventions

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 62 views

Introduction

Smoking behavior among students in Indonesia is a growing concern, despite the well-known risks associated with it. The students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, are particularly noteworthy, as they should possess a deeper understanding of the negative impact of smoking on health. However, various factors can influence an individual's decision to smoke, including the environment of parents, peers, individual personality, and advertising. This study aims to explore the factors contributing to smoking behavior among these students.

Background

Smoking is a significant public health concern worldwide, and Indonesia is no exception. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Indonesia has one of the highest smoking rates in the world, with approximately 30% of the population being smokers. The prevalence of smoking among students is also alarming, with a study conducted in 2019 revealing that over 20% of students in Indonesia were smokers. The Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, is a prestigious institution that produces medical professionals, and it is essential to understand the factors influencing smoking behavior among its students.

Research Methods

This study employed a descriptive method with a cross-sectional design, involving total sampling to obtain data from 127 active smokers. Students who did not smoke and were not willing to participate in the study were excluded. The data were analyzed to identify the knowledge and influence of various factors on smoking behavior.

Research Results

The results showed that out of 127 respondents, as many as 93 people (73.2%) had a high level of knowledge about the dangers of smoking. However, the influence of parents, peers, and advertising had a significant impact on students' smoking habits. Specifically, the parent factor contributed to the influence of 99.2%, the peer factor was 74%, and the ad factor was 93.7%. This suggests that even though students have good knowledge about the dangers of smoking, external factors such as the influence of parents and peers continue to play a major role in their decision to smoke.

Additional Analysis and Explanation

This finding highlights the importance of social and environmental factors in shaping smoking behavior among students. Despite having a high level of knowledge about the dangers of smoking, students are still influenced by their social environment and family. For instance, parents who smoke or do not provide support for a healthy lifestyle can create norms that consider smoking as an acceptable behavior. Similarly, interaction with peers, where smoking is perceived as cool or ordinary, can also affect individual decisions to smoke.

Furthermore, cigarette advertisements that are still prevalent in the media can play a significant role in forming positive perceptions of smoking among students. Ads often use glamorous imagery and freedom, which can make them more appealing to students, even though they know the risks. This highlights the need for effective anti-smoking campaigns that target students and address the influence of social and environmental factors on smoking behavior.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study found that most male students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, have a high level of knowledge about the dangers of smoking. However, the influence of parents, peers, and advertising is a greater factor in influencing their smoking behavior. It is essential to educate students about the dangers of smoking and create a social environment that is more supportive of a healthy lifestyle. Preventive measures involving family and peers are also necessary to reduce smoking behavior among students.

With a better understanding of these factors, it is expected that intervention policies and programs can be more effective in tackling smoking problems among students, especially in the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra. This study highlights the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses the social and environmental factors influencing smoking behavior among students.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Education and awareness: Educate students about the dangers of smoking and the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Social and environmental interventions: Implement preventive measures involving family and peers to reduce smoking behavior among students.
Anti-smoking campaigns: Develop effective anti-smoking campaigns that target students and address the influence of social and environmental factors on smoking behavior.
Policy interventions: Develop policies that restrict the sale and advertising of cigarettes, particularly in areas with high student populations.

By implementing these recommendations, it is expected that smoking behavior among students can be reduced, and a healthier lifestyle can be promoted.

Limitations

This study has several limitations, including:

Sample size: The sample size was relatively small, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.
Sampling method: The study used a total sampling method, which may not be representative of the entire student population.
Data analysis: The study used a descriptive method, which may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing smoking behavior.

Future studies should aim to address these limitations and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing smoking behavior among students.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on:

Exploring the role of social media: Investigate the role of social media in shaping smoking behavior among students.
Developing effective anti-smoking campaigns: Develop and evaluate the effectiveness of anti-smoking campaigns that target students.
Implementing policy interventions: Develop and evaluate the effectiveness of policy interventions that restrict the sale and advertising of cigarettes.

By addressing these research gaps, it is expected that a more comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing smoking behavior among students can be achieved, and effective interventions can be developed to reduce smoking behavior.

Q: What is the main objective of this study?

A: The main objective of this study is to explore the factors that contribute to smoking behavior among students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra.

Q: What is the significance of this study?

A: This study is significant because it aims to understand the factors that influence smoking behavior among students, particularly in a medical faculty where students are expected to have a deeper understanding of the negative impact of smoking on health.

Q: What is the research design used in this study?

A: This study employed a descriptive method with a cross-sectional design, involving total sampling to obtain data from 127 active smokers.

Q: What are the key findings of this study?

A: The key findings of this study are that most male students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, have a high level of knowledge about the dangers of smoking, but the influence of parents, peers, and advertising is a greater factor in influencing their smoking behavior.

Q: What are the implications of this study?

A: The implications of this study are that education and awareness about the dangers of smoking, social and environmental interventions, and anti-smoking campaigns are essential to reduce smoking behavior among students.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The limitations of this study are that the sample size was relatively small, the sampling method was total sampling, and the data analysis was descriptive.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: The future research directions are to explore the role of social media in shaping smoking behavior among students, develop and evaluate the effectiveness of anti-smoking campaigns, and implement policy interventions that restrict the sale and advertising of cigarettes.

Q: What are the recommendations of this study?

A: The recommendations of this study are to educate students about the dangers of smoking and the importance of a healthy lifestyle, implement preventive measures involving family and peers to reduce smoking behavior among students, develop effective anti-smoking campaigns, and develop policies that restrict the sale and advertising of cigarettes.

Q: What is the target population of this study?

A: The target population of this study is students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra.

Q: What is the scope of this study?

A: The scope of this study is to explore the factors that contribute to smoking behavior among students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra.

Q: What are the potential applications of this study?

A: The potential applications of this study are to develop effective interventions to reduce smoking behavior among students, and to inform policy decisions related to tobacco control.

Q: What are the potential limitations of the recommendations of this study?

A: The potential limitations of the recommendations of this study are that they may not be generalizable to other populations, and that they may require further evaluation to determine their effectiveness.

Q: What are the potential future research directions related to this study?

A: The potential future research directions related to this study are to explore the role of social media in shaping smoking behavior among students, develop and evaluate the effectiveness of anti-smoking campaigns, and implement policy interventions that restrict the sale and advertising of cigarettes.

Q: What are the potential implications of this study for public health policy?

A: The potential implications of this study for public health policy are that it highlights the need for education and awareness about the dangers of smoking, social and environmental interventions, and anti-smoking campaigns to reduce smoking behavior among students.

Q: What are the potential implications of this study for healthcare professionals?

A: The potential implications of this study for healthcare professionals are that it highlights the need for them to be aware of the factors that contribute to smoking behavior among students, and to develop effective interventions to reduce smoking behavior among students.

Q: What are the potential implications of this study for students?

A: The potential implications of this study for students are that it highlights the need for them to be aware of the dangers of smoking, and to develop healthy lifestyle habits to reduce the risk of smoking-related diseases.