Knowledge, Attitude, and Use of E‐Cigarettes Among Syrian University Students: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Mohammad Basheer Alameer, Omar Al Emam, Samira Almajzoub, Ghena Blah Alherch, Rana Hadakie, Bilal Aljebbeh, Rana Habeeb, Kenda JawichABSTRACT
Background and Aims
Studies have shown that electronic cigarettes have gained immense popularity, particularly among university students, as they've been marketed as a safer, cleaner, and more acceptable alternative to traditional tobacco. However, little is known about the knowledge, attitude, and use of e‐cigarettes in a developing country such as Syria. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, practices, and attitudes of Syrian university students regarding e‐cigarettes and the demographic factors related to these aspects.
Methods
A web‐based survey was distributed to university students on social media. A total of 26 questions were used to collect demographic data and evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and use of e‐cigarettes.
Results
The total number of participants was 1572. The prevalence of e‐smoking alone was 24%, while 9.5% smoked e‐cigarettes and traditional tobacco together. The most prevalent source of information about e‐cigarettes was friends, followed by media, while desirable taste, followed by fun, was the most prevalent reason for using e‐cigarettes. The average knowledge score was 5.20 ± 3.01, while the average attitude score was 21.04 ± 4.56. Male gender, parental smoking, and decreased attitude score were independently associated with e‐smoking, while studying a medical specialty and decreased knowledge score were associated with e‐smoking but not independently.
Conclusions
Syrian university students' knowledge about e‐smoking is limited. Male gender, parental smoking, and lower attitude scores were independent predictors of e‐cigarette use. Academic specialty and knowledge were associated in univariate analysis but were not independent predictors. Awareness campaigns are imperative to counter the increased popularity of e‐smoking among the Syrian youth.