Knowledge, attitude and use of Electronic Cigarettes among Cairo University Medical Students

Abstract

Abstract Background: electronic cigarettes use has increased exponentially in Egypt and all over the world. However, there is insufficient information about their use of among Cairo University medical students. Therefore, this study was performed to assess e-cigarette knowledge, attitude and use among Cairo University medical students. Methods: A cross sectional study of 300 consented Cairo university medical students over the period of 1st of November 2023 till 15th of December 2023 using a self- administered questionnaire. Results: The mean age was 22.12 ± 1.87. 69.3% were males and 30.7% females. 88.3% heard about e cigarettes, with higher knowledge in clinical years. Main sources of information were the media then friends (41.8% & 37.5%). 14%, 12.7 %, and 7.3 % were cigarette, shisha, and e cigarette smokers; smoking prevalence was higher among males and clinical years’ students (12% &4.7% in clinical and preclinical years, P = 0.02). 39.3%, 10.2% and 3.3% of participants' friends, siblings and parents smoked e cigarettes respectively; compared to 16.7%, 17.9%, and 33% among e smokers. A significantly lower percentage-of e smokers believed that e cigarettes are addictive or cause respiratory problems, and a higher percentage thought that e cigarettes are less harmful, help in smoking cessation, and that their nicotine content is lower than traditional cigarettes. Predictors of e cigarette smoking were being in clinical years, cigarettes and shisha smoking and having friends who are e cigarette smokers. Conclusion: The study revealed several students’ misconceptions and a wide variation in their attitudes about the harmful and addictive effects of e cigarettes. This urges the need for development of medical school curriculum to provide the correct information regarding e-cigarettes in order to face the problem of increasing its use in Egypt.