The effects of a nursing smoking cessation intervention on military students in Turkey

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a nursing smoking cessation intervention based on the Transtheoretical Model of change on a sample of military students.

The quasi-experimental and longitudinal designs were used with a sample of 36 smokers from a Turkish air force school of higher education system. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews conducted in 1 December 2004-30 June 2005 at pre-intervention and at each follow-up.

At the end of the programme, the mean scores related to the perceived 'cons' of smoking increased significantly (P < 0.05). The students' self-efficacy mean scores increased significantly (P < 0.01). The students' stages of change before and after the programme were significant (P < 0.01). The mean number of cigarettes smoked per day before the programme was 14.8 (SD = 5.9) and after the programme was 9.6 (SD = 6.4) at the 6-month follow-up (P < 0.05). The quit rate was 8.3% at the 6-month follow-up.

The interventions by the nurses in the smoking cessation programme were effective, resulting in a positive change in attitude and behaviour that would support the students' smoking cessation and the process of cessation.