• Sokratis Sokratous, Meropi D A Mpouzika, Katerina Kaikoushi, Lenos Hatzimilidonis, Virginia Sunday Koutroubas, and KaranikolaMaria N KMNKDepartment of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus. Electronic address: maria.karanikola@cut.ac.cy..
• Department of Nursing, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus.
• Complement Ther Med. 2021 May 1; 58: 102707.

ObjectivesWe aimed to explore the attitudes, beliefs and knowledge of nursing students about medical cannabis use in Cyprus. Special focus was given on gender differences and the year of studentship.DesignA descriptive, cross-sectional study with internal comparisons was performed on undergraduate nursing students in Cyprus. Pearson chi-square test for group differences was employed. A total of 252 questionnaires were anonymously and voluntarily completed. Descriptive and inferential statistics were assessed.Results21 % male and 79 % female were included in the sample (response rate 62.7 %). Third year student participants reported more frequent use of cannabis for all reasons - for themselves, friends and family (p < 0.05). Furthermore, they reported more positive statements on the effectiveness of medical cannabis in treating medical conditions (p < 0.05). Moreover, female students reported more frequently the necessity of incorporating medical cannabis training into academic curricula (p < 0.05).ConclusionsGiven the reported lack of knowledge, enrichment of nursing curricula with medical cannabis related courses and lectures, both theoretical and clinical/ laboratory, are proposed. The associations of attitudes with gender and years of studentship point to the need of taking these factors into consideration for relevant education and training.Published by Elsevier Ltd.

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