Objectives: To examine the prevalence of smoking, second-hand smoke exposure, and attitudes toward tobacco control and cessation training among university students in China. Methods: We administered the Global Health Professions Student Survey (GHPSS) to students from 50 universities offering medical/ health professional (MHP) programs and received 11,954 responses. Non-MHP students, MHP students, and third-year MHP students comprised the sample. Descriptive statistics were calculated for weighted prevalence and 95% confidence intervals. Key factors of interest and attitudes toward medical smoking cessation were examined using logistic regression. Results: Smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke was higher among non-MHP (15.9%, 31.9%) than MHP (7.0%, 21.2%) students. For third-year MHP students, the rates were 6.9% and 19.7%, respectively. Students held positive attitudes toward smoking bans in public places and cessation services. However, few received formal training in smoking cessation, and 37.0% agreed that light cigarettes are less harmful to health. Positive attitudes toward cessation services were related to several factors. Conclusions: This study is the first comprehensive survey of students in China providing direction for building capacity in tobacco control and smoking cessation among students in health professional programs.

Respective associations between uncertainty stress and three dimensions of social capital with suicidal ideation were assessed among 4446 undergraduates from 22 Chinese universities in a cross-sectional study. Multiple logistic regression model and structural equation modeling were used to examine these relationships. Uncertainty stress was more strongly and uniquely associated with suicidal ideation than with life stress. Social capital, especially social networks, shared a dual role as a correlate of suicidal ideation and means to reduce the impact of uncertainty stress. School-based gender- and age-specific suicidal ideation interventions should emphasize social capital enhancement and uncertainty stress coping.

To compare stress levels among residents in large Chinese cities between 2001 and 2008. Survey data were collected in three mainland Chinese capital cities in two waves, in 2001 and 2008, respectively. Participants were recruited through a multi-stage stratified sampling process. Stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale, Chinese version (CPSS). Descriptive methods were used to estimate mean stress levels and associated 95% confidence intervals. Estimates were adjusted by post-stratification weights. Indicating stable stress levels, respective adjusted mean stress scores for the combined samples of study participants were 23.90 (95%CI: 23.68–24.12) in 2001 and 23.69 (95%CI: 23.38–24.01) in 2008. A lower stress level in 2008 than in 2001 manifested among residents who were under 25 years of age; female; with a college or higher level education; divorced, widowed, or separated; members of the managerial and clerical group; students or army personnel; or with an annual income of at least 30,000 RMB. The overall stress level did not change among the combined sample of residents in the three Chinese study cities between 2001 and 2008. However, levels remained high and varied across social strata, and may have reflected a national trend among urban residents. Findings indicate a need for a new health policy, and call for the design and implementation of evidence-based interventions that target the highest-risk groups.

This study aims to examine the relationship between uncertainty stress and late bedtime behaviour, and to explore their associations with self-rated health and self-reported academic performance. The participants were 11,954 students from 50 universities in China from a cross-sectional survey. College students’ bedtime, sleep duration, health status, and academic performance were assessed with a self-reported questionnaire. Uncertainty stress and general life stress were also measured by standard stress questionnaires. The logistic regression models and the path analysis were applied to explore the network relationships among these variables. Late bedtime prevalence among college students was 17.2% (95% C.I. 16.5%-17.9%). Gender, grade, monthly expenditure, and sleep duration were found to be related to the prevalence of late bedtime. Uncertainty stress was more influential on late bedtime and academic performance than general life stress. Students with higher uncertainty stress were 1.41 times more likely to experience late bedtime than those with lower uncertainty stress. Late bedtime was associated with involvement in adverse outcomes including worse self-rated health status and poor academic performance. Many college students were at risk for late bedtime, and those at risk may perceive high uncertainty stress and be at risk for academic failure and health problems. These findings underscore the significance of evaluating and monitoring bedtime in college students and the importance of intervention strategies that target bedtimes and uncertainty stress in an effort to reduce associated self-rated health outcomes and improve academic performance.