Attitudes, beliefs and knowledge regarding medical cannabis among healthcare students in Cyprus: A cross-sectional descriptive correlational study

Abstract

Abstract Background: Although the international research-based literature from the last two decades seems to favour medical cannabis (MC) use, there is a lack of evidence concerning healthcare students’ education on MC in Cyprus and across the world. Therefore, this study explored Cyprus healthcare students’ attitudes, beliefs and knowledge regarding MC use. We paid special attention to differences across specific sociodemographic (gender, age and religion status) and educational (level, year and study field) characteristics. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with internal comparisons was performed from November 2019 to March 2020. All active undergraduate/postgraduate healthcare students (N= 900) studying in public and private universities in Cyprus were eligible to participate (final sample involved N = 819, response rate = 91%). To collect the data, we used the Attitudes, Beliefs and Knowledge towards Medical Cannabis Questionnaire (MCQ) questionnaire. To analyse the data, we employed the Pearson chi-square test for group differences, in addition to assessing descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: Healthcare students had a generally positive attitude towards MC. Statistically significant differences were observed between genders and in terms of beliefs/risk associated with using MC, with males being likelier to believe that there are significant mental-health benefits associated with using ΜC (x2 = 8.06, OR: 0.6, 95% CI: 0.49–0.89) and females being likelier to believe that using MC poses serious physical (x2 = 23.00, OR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.35–2.0, p < .001) and mental-health (x2 = 13.06, OR: 1.4, 95% CI: 1.2–1.81) risks. Moreover, healthcare students who received specific (formal) education about MC during their study/training, they were more prepared to answer patient/client questions about ΜC (x2 = 17.27, df = 1, p < .001). In addition, the participants who received formal education had more friends (x2=12.69, df=1, p <.001) or family member who uses/has used MC (x2=4.03, df=1, p <.05). Conclusions: This study provides useful information for curriculum development, educational changes and policy decisions related to cannabis use for medical purposes in Cyprus. The results show that the majority of healthcare students in Cyprus are in favour of MC use. However, the participants reported a dearth of knowledge and recommended additional evidence-based research and education to enhance their knowledge of MC use. Therefore, we recommend the implementation of formal education about MC in healthcare students in Cyprus during their study and clinical training. Furthermore, it is important to add MC-related theoretical and clinical/laboratory courses during studies and clinical practice.