Barriers to quitting smoking among nursing students in Iraq

Tobacco use remains a significant contributor to health problems among nursing students in Iraq. If unresolved, it can lead to a substantial impact on mortality and morbidity. Therefore, smoking cessation is crucial to prevent further complications as mentioned in many publications. It is essential to conduct an observation on the prevalence of smoking among nursing students and the barriers to quitting. Although there is extensive research on this topic, it remains limited among population in Iraq. The purpose of the study is to assess barriers to quitting smoking among nursing students in Iraq. The study used a descriptive observational design and conducted at the College of Nursing, University of Mosul, Iraq. A total of 190 nursing students participated from three respective universities. Data collection was conducted using a comprehensive questionnaire administered to eligible nursing students within 7 January until 7 March 2024. The questionnaire comprised sections on demographic characteristics, smoking history, and barriers to smoking cessation. Prior to the main study, a pilot study was conducted with a separate group of participants who were not included in the original sample. To ensure content validity, the questionnaire was reviewed and validated by twelve experts from various medical and nursing fields. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 27 and presented in descriptive analyses across variables. The findings revealed that craving and friends' smoking were the primary barriers to smoking cessation. These results suggest that community nurses should collaborate with university authorities to develop comprehensive interventions. Furthermore, policymakers and university administrators may consider developing policies that include rewards for quitting and consequences for smoking among nursing students. Although this study was conducted in Iraq, the findings can serve as evidence that smoking cessation remains a global problem even in countries with a Muslim majority where smoking is believed to be prohibited. Keywords: Barriers, community nursing, nursing students, smoking cessation, tobacco control measure