Assessing the knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions toward smoking cessation among medical students in Rwanda Questionnaire

Tobacco use remains a major public health concern, and medical students play a key role in future smoking cessation efforts through clinical practice and health advocacy. This study assessed tobacco use, knowledge, attitudes, and perceived barriers to smoking cessation among medical students in Rwanda. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2023 among 263 undergraduate medical students at the University of Rwanda and the University of Global Health Equity using a self-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics, tobacco use, knowledge of smoking-related harms and cessation, attitudes toward smoking cessation, and perceived barriers to providing cessation services. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the findings. Most respondents (99.24%) identified as non-smokers. Only 22.05% reported having received formal training on smoking cessation, although 85.93% expressed willingness to participate in such training. Knowledge gaps were evident, with 61.98% of participants answering cessation-related knowledge questions incorrectly, while 53.99% reported negative attitudes toward smoking cessation. The most commonly reported barriers to providing cessation services were lack of knowledge and skills (84.03%), limited availability of cessation products (75.29%), lack of time (45.63%), and lack of confidence (36.50%). Rwandan medical students show gaps in smoking cessation knowledge and attitudes; despite willingness to learn, limited training hinders preparedness, underscoring the urgent need for curriculum reform to strengthen tobacco control capacity. Keywords: Attitude, Knowledge, Perception, Rwanda, Smoking Cessation, Students