THE IMPACT OF EXAM STRESS ON SMOKING HABITS AMONG MALE MEDICAL STUDENTS AT UMM AL-QURA UNIVERSITY, MAKKAH, SAUDI ARABIA: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Background: Smoking among young adults, particularly university students, remains a critical public health issue. Academic stress, especially during exam periods, has been identified as a potential factor influencing smoking behaviours. This study investigates the effect of exam stress on smoking habits among male medical students at Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Objective: To explore how smoking habits change during exam periods compared to regular academic periods among male medical students and identify the key factors influencing these behaviours. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2021, involving 194 male students from various medical colleges at Umm Al-Qura University. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analysed using the McNemar test to compare smoking behaviours during regular and exam periods. Visual representations, including pie charts and line graphs, were used to illustrate the relationship between exam stress and smoking intensity. Results: The study found that curiosity (59.3%) and peer influence (53.6%) were primary motivators for smoking initiation. A significant increase in smoking was observed during exam periods, with 76.3% of students reporting heightened cigarette consumption. Specifically, the number of students smoking more than 20 cigarettes per day rose from 8.7% during regular periods to 30.4% during exams (p < 0.001). A positive correlation (r = 0.68, p < 0.01) between reported stress levels and cigarette consumption was identified, suggesting that exam stress significantly contributes to increased smoking intensity. Conclusion: Exam stress plays a crucial role in exacerbating smoking habits among male medical students. The findings highlight the need for targeted public health interventions, including stress management programmes and smoking cessation support, particularly during high-stress academic periods. This study underscores the importance of addressing both the psychological and social aspects of smoking to reduce its prevalence in academic settings.