Abstract
ObjectiveThe manufacturers of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are actively marketing their product through electronic and social media. Undergraduate medical students are expected to have better knowledge and awareness as they directly interact with patients in their training, The purpose of this study is therefore, to determine knowledge, use and perception regarding e-cigarettes among medical students from Sindh, Pakistan.ResultsA cross-sectional study was conducted between 1st July and 30th September 2016 at five different medical colleges situated in the second largest province of Sindh, Pakistan. The data was collected through a structured, self-administered questionnaire. Of the 500 students, the mean age was 21.5 ± 1.7 years and 58% were females. Over (65.6%) students were aware of e-cigarettes, 31 (6.2%) reported having used e-cigarettes, of whom 6 (1.2%) self-reported daily use. Users of conventional tobacco products were significantly more likely to have heard of e-cigarettes (87.6% vs 51.6%, p < 0.001) and having used them (13.9% vs 1.3%, p < 0.001). On multivariable logistic regression analysis we found a strong association of e-cigarette use with consumption of conventional cigarettes [OR: 10.6, 95% CI 3.6–30.8, p < 0.001], use of smokeless tobacco products [OR: 7.9, 95% CI 2.7–23.4, p < 0.001] however a weak association was observed for Shisha use [OR: 3.05, 95% CI 0.9–9.6, p = 0.05].
Highlights
An electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), known as electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) is a handheld electronic device that was first introduced in the early 2000s [1]
Tobacco non-users were significantly more likely to have heard of e-cigarettes through mass media (46.2%) while users heard through friends/acquaintances (32.9%) (p < 0.03) (Table 1)
The popularity of e-cigarettes is currently rising globally while limited data are available on its safety and efficacy, as well as perceptions in young populations who are most susceptible to its uptake
Summary
A total of 500 students were interviewed which included 290 (58%) females and 210 (42%) males. 194 (38.8%) respondents were users of conventional tobacco products either in the form of cigarettes, shisha or smokeless tobacco. Among those who reported smoking, 43 (8.6%) labelled themselves as current cigarette smokers, 41 (8.2%), as occasional smokers and 4 (0.8%) were ex-smokers. Tobacco non-users were significantly more likely to have heard of e-cigarettes through mass media (46.2%) while users heard through friends/acquaintances (32.9%) (p < 0.03) (Table 1). Use of conventional cigarette was (80.6%), smokeless tobacco use was (38.7%) and shisha use was (83.9%) among e- cigarette users compared to 13.4, 2.3 and 31.6% of non e-cigarette user respectively This was suggested by a multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrating significantly higher odds of. 1 E-cigarettes can cause respiratory diseases (lung cancer, COPD, 14 (45.2) 13 (41.9) 4 (12.9) asthma)
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