Awareness and Perception Toward Nicotine Replacement Therapy Among Medical Students at Umm Al-Qura University

BackgroundTobacco smoking is a leading cause of premature mortality worldwide, with most deaths attributed to smoking-related diseases. Quitting smoking can have significant health benefits and increase one's lifespan. Nicotine, the addictive component of tobacco, can lead to cravings and withdrawal symptoms. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can be an effective aid in easing these symptoms. This study aimed to estimate the awareness, acceptance, knowledge, and perception of NRT among medical students at Umm Al-Qura University in Makkah City.MethodologyA cross-sectional survey method using Google Forms was utilized to distribute a questionnaire among medical students. The data were analyzed data using RStudio with statistical significance set at p-values <0.05.ResultsOf the 310 students included in this study, the majority were males (56.5%) and were aged between 21 and 24 years. Overall, 31.9% of the participants were in their fourth year of study. Regression analysis showed that being in the fifth or sixth academic year significantly predicted awareness of NRT.ConclusionsSenior-year medical students had more knowledge and awareness about NRT than their junior colleagues. Future recommendations are vital for medical students to increase their knowledge, awareness, and practice regarding NRT.