Evaluation of a school-based intervention on vaping among adolescents in Axarquía (Spain)

Aim

Vaping among adolescents is an increasing public health concern. Evidence on effective school-based interventions remains limited. This study aimed to assess the impact of an educational intervention Vaping IS a problem in addressing the risks and health effects of vaping among adolescents by reducing the prevalence of vaping and increasing risk perception, taking into account sociodemographic factors and gender. It is an informative, educational intervention designed to bring about behavioural change through participatory activities.

Methods

Cluster-randomised longitudinal study among secondary school students (Axarquía,Málaga, Spain). Sample size: 268 (EPIDAT). Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, vaping behaviour and risk perception. Pre-post comparisons were performed.

Results

Participants were aged 14–16 years (51% female). Overall, 45% reported ever vaping, higher among females (47% vs 38%). Initiation occurred mainly at 12–14 years (83%), primarily due to curiosity (66%). Frequent use was reported by 45% of users. Peer influence was high (78% reported friends who vape). At baseline, 87% perceived vaping as harmful and 96% as addictive. After one month, risk perception and self-reported information improved significantly.

Conclusions

Vaping experimentation is high, with early initiation and strong peer influence. The intervention improved risk perception and awareness in the short term. One month after the intervention, we observed that the students consider vaping to be dangerous and feel better informed by healthcare staff and the school environment, results which are statistically significant. School-based strategies may contribute to prevention, although sustained effects should be further evaluated.

Key messages

• Vaping experimentation is high among adolescents, with early initiation and strong peer in-fluence.

• A brief school-based intervention improved risk perception and awareness in the short term.