Effects of the 5A Model toward perceiving self-efficacy of nursing students’ counseling for tobacco cessation

Background: Tobacco control is a critical global health issue, especially due to the tobacco industry’s targeting of youths and children, which challenges educational institutions. This study examined the impact of the 5A model on nursing students’ perceptions of smoking cessation counseling. Method: This quasi-experimental study used a one-group pretest-posttest design to evaluate the effect of the 5A model on nursing students’ self-efficacy. It involved 30 nursing students from Princess Agrarajakumari College of Nursing at Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand. Over four weeks, students engaged in online learning, simulation-based learning, field training in counseling, and completed a self-efficacy questionnaire based on the 5A model. A repeated measures ANOVA analyzed mean differences in self-efficacy. Results: The participants, primarily female (96.70%) with a mean age of 20.50 ± 0.57, showed significant improvement in perceived self-efficacy in smoking cessation counseling using the 5A model following simulation-based learning (p < 0.001). A positive effect was also noted after field training (p < 0.001). Their confidence in using the STAR technique for stop-smoking planning and counseling, and employing the 5A model to prevent relapse, significantly increased (p < 0.001). The mean scores of perceived self-efficacy post-simulation learning and post-field training did not differ significantly. Conclusion: This study highlights the effectiveness of combining self-efficacy theory and the 5A model with simulation-based learning and field training in smoking cessation programs. The findings emphasize the need for nurse educators to adopt and implement such programs in educational settings and communities. Keywords: Tobacco Cessation, Self-efficacy, Nursing Students, 5A model, Thailand