Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
Department of Family and Community Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Hebron University, Hebron, Palestine.
BMJ Open. 2024 Feb 17;14(2):e080881. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080881.
E-cigarettes have gained popularity, especially among young adults. This study aims to determine the prevalence of e-cigarette smoking, assess knowledge and attitudes and identify associated factors among Palestinian university students.
A cross-sectional study.
The study was conducted among Palestinian university students in early 2023.A self-administered questionnaire was used to survey 1792 students from six Palestine universities in the West Bank. The questionnaire covered various aspects, including sociodemographic information, daily habits, exposure to smoking, attitudes and knowledge about e-cigarettes. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, χ tests and multivariate regression analysis.
The study revealed a high prevalence of tobacco use (41.2%), with e-cigarette use prevalent among 19.7% of participants. Knowledge about e-cigarettes was suboptimal, with misconceptions regarding their safety and health effects. Negative attitudes towards e-cigarettes were common, and students with negative attitudes were more likely to use e-cigarettes (aOR=2.6, 95% CI: 1.9 to 3.6). Gender (aOR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.4 to 3.0), waterpipe smoking (aOR=4.5, 95% CI: 3.2 to 6.3), physical inactivity (aOR=1.4, 95% CI: 1.1 to 1.9), high coffee consumption (aOR=1.6, 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.3), spending time with friends (aOR=2.4, 95% CI: 1.5 to 3.7), having a mother who is a smoker (aOR=1.5, 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.2) and having a friend who uses e-cigarettes (aOR=1.5, 95% CI: 1.1 to 2.1) were significantly associated with e-cigarettes use.
E-cigarette use is a growing concern among Palestinian university students. Combating this trend should include educational initiatives, social interventions and policy measures to promote informed decision-making and discourage e-cigarette use. Comprehensive tobacco control programs considering various tobacco and nicotine products and involving multiple stakeholders are warranted.
电子烟越来越受欢迎，尤其是在年轻人中。本研究旨在确定巴勒斯坦大学生电子烟吸烟的流行率，评估知识和态度，并确定相关因素。
横断面研究。
本研究于 2023 年初在巴勒斯坦大学生中进行。使用自填式问卷对来自西岸六所巴勒斯坦大学的 1792 名学生进行了调查。问卷涵盖了社会人口统计学信息、日常习惯、吸烟暴露、对电子烟的态度和知识等方面。使用描述性统计、χ检验和多变量回归分析对数据进行分析。
研究显示烟草使用率较高（41.2%），参与者中有 19.7%使用电子烟。对电子烟的认识不足，存在对其安全性和健康影响的误解。对电子烟的负面态度很常见，对电子烟持负面态度的学生更有可能使用电子烟（调整后的优势比[aOR]=2.6，95%置信区间[CI]：1.9 至 3.6）。性别（aOR=2.1，95% CI：1.4 至 3.0）、水烟吸烟（aOR=4.5，95% CI：3.2 至 6.3）、缺乏身体活动（aOR=1.4，95% CI：1.1 至 1.9）、高咖啡摄入量（aOR=1.6，95% CI：1.1 至 2.3）、与朋友共度时光（aOR=2.4，95% CI：1.5 至 3.7）、母亲吸烟（aOR=1.5，95% CI：1.1 至 2.2）和有朋友使用电子烟（aOR=1.5，95% CI：1.1 至 2.1）与电子烟使用显著相关。
电子烟在巴勒斯坦大学生中越来越受到关注。遏制这一趋势应包括教育举措、社会干预和政策措施，以促进知情决策，劝阻电子烟使用。需要制定全面的烟草控制计划，考虑各种烟草和尼古丁产品，并涉及多个利益相关者。
