Okeke Nkem Hillary, Obi Ndubuisi Paris, Nnebue Chinomnso Chinanuekpere
Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra, Nigeria.
Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus, Anambra, Nigeria.
BMC Public Health. 2025 Jul 25;25(1):2544. doi: 10.1186/s12889-025-23790-1.
E-cigarettes and hookah have gained significant popularity, particularly among young people in recent years, despite limited research on their safety and efficacy. Advertisements for these products are widespread across various media platforms, further increasing their popularity and raising awareness among young adults. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and risk perception of e-cigarettes and hookah among young adults in Anambra State, Nigeria.
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in three tertiary institutions, selected through simple random sampling from the three Senatorial Districts of Anambra State. Participants (n = 272), aged 18-35 years, were recruited using a multi-stage stratified random sampling technique. A self- administered, semi- structured questionnaires was shared amongst students of the three tertiary institutions that met the inclusion criteria. Descriptive statistics were generated, and chi-square tests were conducted to determine the level of significance at p < 0.05.
The study showed that the majority of participants (66.7%) sourced their information about e-cigarettes and hookah primarily from the internet/media, although 58.5% reported never having seen these substances in person. Among the participants, 7.4% reported using both e-cigarettes and hookah, with the highest prevalence of use seen in the 25-29 age group. The first use of these substances commonly occurred in cafés/restaurants (7.4%) and nightclubs (6.6%). Majority (64.7%) perceived both e-cigarettes and hookah as equally harmful in terms of health risks, while 50.7% considered both substances equally addictive. Participants identified respiratory (65.4%) and cardiovascular (71.7%) diseases as the primary health risks associated with the use of these substances.
This study demonstrates a high level of awareness of the health risks, addictive nature, and harmful effects of e-cigarette and hookah use among young adults in Anambra State. However, there appears to be a lack of in-depth, comprehensive understanding of the broader implications of these risks. The prevalence of use in social settings reveals the need for targeted, detailed education on their risks. Incorporating these products into smoke-free policies and regulating access in environments frequented by young adults are essential to curbing their growing use and associated health risks.
尽管对电子烟和水烟的安全性和有效性研究有限，但近年来它们已大受欢迎，尤其是在年轻人中。这些产品的广告在各种媒体平台上广泛传播，进一步提高了它们的知名度并增强了年轻人的认知度。本研究旨在评估尼日利亚阿南布拉州年轻人对电子烟和水烟的了解及风险认知。
本描述性横断面研究在三所高等院校进行，通过简单随机抽样从阿南布拉州的三个参议院选区中选取。采用多阶段分层随机抽样技术招募年龄在18 - 35岁的参与者（n = 272）。向符合纳入标准的三所高等院校的学生发放了一份自填式半结构化问卷。生成描述性统计数据，并进行卡方检验以确定p < 0.05时的显著性水平。
研究表明，大多数参与者（66.7%）主要从互联网/媒体获取有关电子烟和水烟的信息，尽管58.5%的人表示从未亲眼见过这些产品。在参与者中，7.4%的人报告同时使用电子烟和水烟，其中25 - 29岁年龄组的使用率最高。这些产品的首次使用通常发生在咖啡馆/餐厅（7.4%）和夜总会（6.6%）。大多数人（64.7%）认为电子烟和水烟在健康风险方面同样有害，而50.7%的人认为这两种产品同样容易上瘾。参与者将呼吸系统疾病（65.4%）和心血管疾病（71.7%）确定为与使用这些产品相关的主要健康风险。
本研究表明阿南布拉州的年轻人对使用电子烟和水烟的健康风险、成瘾性及有害影响有较高认知。然而，对于这些风险的更广泛影响似乎缺乏深入、全面的理解。在社交场合中的使用率表明有必要针对其风险进行有针对性的详细教育。将这些产品纳入无烟政策并规范年轻人常去场所的获取渠道对于遏制其使用增加及相关健康风险至关重要。
