Relationship of Health Literacy with Knowledge and Attitude toward the Harms of Cigarette Smoking among University Students

Abstract

Abstract Background and Objectives: Health literacy is associated with smoking status. Given the growing prevalence of smoking and the role model of the medical students in Iran, this study aimed to determine the relationship of health literacy with knowledge and attitudes about the harms of cigarette smoking. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional and correlational study was conducted on 340 dormitory students of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, in 2016. The study population was selected through single-stage cluster sampling method. The data were collected using the Heath Literacy for Iranian Adults (HELIA) questionnaire for urban population aged between 18-65 years and a researcher-made questionnaire measuring the knowledge and attitudes about the harms of smoking. Data analysis was performed through SPSS version 16, using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: According to the results, the mean scores of health literacy, knowledge, and attitude were 70.52±14.12, 16.65±1.62, and 53.03±10.33, respectively (out of 100). There was a significant direct relationship between the knowledge and attitudes about smoking hazards (P<0.001). Similarly, health literacy was directly correlated with knowledge and attitudes about smoking harms (P<0.001). Conclusions: Regarding the relationship of health literacy with knowledge and attitudes about smoking hazards, future studies are recommended to investigate the effect of different levels of health literacy on smoking. Keywords: Attitude; Health Literacy; Knowledge; Medical Students; Smoking