Electronic cigarette awareness and use among students at the Federal University of Mato Grosso, Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) awareness and experimentation among university students, as well as the characteristics associated with that awareness. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in 2015, in which 489 university students at the Federal University of Mato Grosso (Cuiabá campus), Brazil, were interviewed with the use of a specific questionnaire. We estimated the prevalence of e-cigarette awareness and use, as well as analyzing the major characteristics associated with that awareness and use. Results: The prevalence of e-cigarette awareness was 37%, and the rate of e-cigarette experimentation was 2.7%. Awareness of e-cigarettes was found to be associated with marital status, work status, the level of parental education, and the presence or absence of smokers in the family. Conclusions: A high proportion of university students were aware of e-cigarettes. Although the prevalence of those who had experimented with e-cigarettes was low, there is concern that there could be an increase in the use of these types of device. There is a need for measures targeting university students, in order to build awareness of and prevent e-cigarette use.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Oliveira,Wemerson José Corrêa de, Zobiole,Alexandre Figueiredo, Lima,Claudia Bonadiman de, Zurita,Rebeca Melo, Flores,Pedro Eduardo Muniz, Rodrigues,Luís Guilherme Val, Pinheiro,Raissa Carolina de Assis, Silva,Victor Francisco Figueiredo Rocha Soares e
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia 2018
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1806-37132018000500367
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) awareness and experimentation among university students, as well as the characteristics associated with that awareness. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in 2015, in which 489 university students at the Federal University of Mato Grosso (Cuiabá campus), Brazil, were interviewed with the use of a specific questionnaire. We estimated the prevalence of e-cigarette awareness and use, as well as analyzing the major characteristics associated with that awareness and use. Results: The prevalence of e-cigarette awareness was 37%, and the rate of e-cigarette experimentation was 2.7%. Awareness of e-cigarettes was found to be associated with marital status, work status, the level of parental education, and the presence or absence of smokers in the family. Conclusions: A high proportion of university students were aware of e-cigarettes. Although the prevalence of those who had experimented with e-cigarettes was low, there is concern that there could be an increase in the use of these types of device. There is a need for measures targeting university students, in order to build awareness of and prevent e-cigarette use.