scholarly journals E-Cigarette Use Among University Students in Slovakia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Babjakova ◽  
Michael Weitzman ◽  
Diana Vondrova ◽  
Alexandra Filova ◽  
Branislav Kollar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Foreign Students ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Medical Study ◽  
Disease Causation ◽  
Personal Use ◽  
On Line ◽  
Alternative Tobacco Products

Young adults are more likely to have experimented with electronic cigarettes (EC) and underestimate their risks. The on-line survey adapted from American Survey on Tobacco and Alternative Tobacco Products included questions about the personal use of EC, perceptions about the harms and their role in disease causation, education and cessation training and practices related to classical cigarettes (CC), electronic cigarettes (EC) and alternative tobacco products (ATP). The questionnaire filled in 577 medical students (71.9% women) from Comenius University in Bratislava, the average age was 23±2yrs. The sample comprised of 486 (84.2%) Slovak and 91 (15.8%) foreign students; 385 were (66.7%) non-smokers, 111 (19.3%) ex-smokers and 81 (14 %) current smokers. EC currently use 13.5 % medical students, more males than females (22.2% vs 10.12%; OR 2.53, 95% CI 1.55−4.13), more foreign students than Slovak students (24.2% vs 11.52; OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.41−4.26), more smokers of classical cigarettes than non-smokers (46.9% vs 8.06%; OR 10.07, 95% CI 5.85−17.34). EC seems to be less harmful to 59.97 % students, mostly in the age groups ≤ 24 (61.76% vs 51.49%; OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.03−2.07), 41.25% of students consider EC to be less addictive, 55.6% think they do not get enough education on EC during their medical study. The results show the high consumption of tobacco products and the lack of knowledge and awareness among medical students.

scholarly journals Do Emotions Spark Interest in Alternative Tobacco Products?

2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 598-612 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucy Popova ◽  
Jiyeon So ◽  
Angeline Sangalang ◽  
Torsten B. Neilands ◽  
Pamela M. Ling
Keyword(s):  
Positive Emotions ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Current Smoker ◽  
Warning Labels ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Free Sample ◽  
Moist Snuff ◽  
Background Exposure ◽  
Alternative Tobacco Products ◽  
A Current

Background. Exposure to advertisements for tobacco products and tobacco warning labels evokes emotions. This study evaluated the association of discrete positive and negative emotions with interest in alternative tobacco products. Method. In 2013, 1,226 U.S. adult nonsmokers and current smokers viewed advertisements for moist snuff, snus, and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) with various warning labels and then indicated their emotional responses in terms of anger, anxiety, sadness, guilt, disgust, discouragement, hope, and contentment. Outcomes were openness to using moist snuff, snus, and e-cigarettes in the future and interest in a free sample of each product. Data were analyzed in 2016. Results. Hope was positively associated with openness and interest across all alternative tobacco products as was contentment for moist snuff and snus. Anger was negatively associated with openness to moist snuff and e-cigarettes, disgust negatively to moist snuff and snus, and anxiety negatively to e-cigarettes. Being a current smoker, ever trying a corresponding product, being male, and younger age were associated with greater openness to and interest in moist snuff and snus. For e-cigarettes, being a current smoker, ever trying e-cigarettes, and being female were associated with greater openness, and being a current smoker was associated with greater odds of selecting a free sample. Conclusions. Positive emotions, particularly hope, were consistently positively associated with interest in alternative tobacco products. Hope is widely used by tobacco and e-cigarette companies to advertise their products. Antitobacco messages should aim to lower hope associated with tobacco products but increase hope for cessation or life without tobacco.

scholarly journals INCIDENCE OF COVID-19 AMONG INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OF TERNOPIL NATIONAL MEDICAL UNIVERSITY: A QUESTIONNAIRE STUDY

2021 ◽  
pp. 127-130
Author(s):  
B. O. Pereviznyk ◽  
N. A. Dzhavadova ◽  
O. V. Pokryshko
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Foreign Students ◽  
Healthy Lifestyle ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Physical And Mental Health ◽  
Respiratory Problems ◽  
National Medical ◽  
University Studies ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Medical University

Summary. SARS-CoV-2 became a global pandemic challenge for billions of people by reaching people of diffe­rent nationalities and age groups. Ukraine lists 80470 foreign students who are enrolled into university studies. Ternopil National Medical University (TNMU) includes 2414 foreign students who are enrolled in university studies with the biggest majority of Indian students. The aim of the study – to assess the incidence of COVID-19 in students and identify the possible predisposing factors for disease appearance among the foreign students of TNMU. Materials and Methods. The study included 641 medical students of TNMU from different countries. The questionnaire included 8 questions to evaluate the presence of risk factors among TNMU foreign students and identify the percentage of students who were already exposed to COVID-19. Results. The amount of students that proved PCR-confirmed COVID-19 infection since the start of the pandemic equaled 7.17% (n=46). An evident contact with COVID-19 case prior to the personal disease appearance was proved by only 11.85 % of students (n=76). PCR-confirmed ca­ses in families of TNMU foreign medical students equaled 14.35% (n=92).  Conclusions. General incidence of COVID-19 among foreign students of TNMU is low. It is influenced by multiple factors including healthy lifestyle, small amount of smokers, and absence of chronic respiratory problems, current lockdown measures, good physical and mental health status.

scholarly journals Use of electronic cigarettes and alternative tobacco products among Romanian adolescents

2016 ◽  
Vol 61 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentin Nădăşan ◽  
Kristie L. Foley ◽  
Melinda Pénzes ◽  
Edit Paulik ◽  
Ştefan Mihăicuţă ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Alternative Tobacco Products

scholarly journals Enriching the content of foreign medical students’ independent work by on-line courses on the edX platform

2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-68
Author(s):  
O.I. Gura ◽  
Z.M. Ragrina
Keyword(s):  
Medical Students ◽  
Foreign Students ◽  
Online Courses ◽  
Educational Process ◽  
Professional Communication ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
On Line ◽  
Level Of Knowledge ◽  
Communication Needs ◽  
Independent Work

The article explores the benefits of using computer technology in the educational process and emphasizes their ability to increase the motivation of foreign medical students to study. Using the latest technologies in the educational process is a demand of time. Intensifying the interest to the discipline and improving the quality and level of knowledge of students is the purpose of such using. The necessity and importance of on-line education at the current stage of society development is substantiated. Using effective techniques and methods of online learning, creating a variety of online courses, engaging students in an independent creative process – this is the optimal way to update the internal reserves of the educational process. The role of students' independent work in the educational process is determined. It is moticed that the independent work of students requires the same organization and methodological support as the traditional class work. The peculiarities of the content of independent work of foreign medical students are revealed and their communicative needs are determined. In accordance with the subjects of the educational programs for specialists in the field of knowledge 22 "Health care", specialty 222 "Medicine" and according to the communication needs, EDX on-line platform was selected and created for creating and implementing online special courses for independent work of foreign students at different stages of study. The structure of individual online special courses is analyzed, the purpose, tasks and results of each of them are highlighted. The subject, distribution of classes, structure, linguistic, speech and communication material of the on-line special course "Introduction to the specialty: scientific speech" are characterized. The specificity, orientation, purpose and specifics of the task of the on-line special course "Professional communication: doctor – patient" are revealed. The conclusions about the necessity and appropriateness of the application of the specified online special courses in the process of preparation of foreign students in medical institutions of higher education.

scholarly journals Longitudinal Associations of Substance Use Risk Profiles with the Use of Alternative Tobacco Products and Conventional Smoking among Adolescents

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (24) ◽  
pp. 13248
Author(s):  
Marieke Hiemstra ◽  
Andrea Rozema ◽  
Maria Jansen ◽  
Hans van Oers ◽  
Jolanda Mathijssen
Keyword(s):  
Substance Use ◽  
Personality Traits ◽  
Sensation Seeking ◽  
Structural Equation Models ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Water Pipes ◽  
Alternative Tobacco Products ◽  
Shared Risk

Although personality is associated with the onset of substance use (i.e., conventional smoking, alcohol use, and cannabis use) during adolescence, it is unclear whether personality traits are also associated with the onset of use of alternative tobacco products (ATPs), i.e., electronic cigarettes, shisha-pens, and water pipes. This study examines whether personality traits are associated with the onset of use of both conventional cigarettes and ATPs. Longitudinal data (baseline and 18-month follow-up) were used. The sample consisted of 1114 non-user adolescents (mean age = 13.36, SD = 0.93, 56% female) at baseline. To measure personality traits, the Substance Use Risk Profile Scale was used with four subscales: anxiety sensitivity, hopelessness, sensation seeking, and impulsivity. Structural equation models were conducted using Mplus 7.3. Results showed that both hopelessness and sensation seeking were associated with the onset of use of e-cigarettes and conventional cigarettes. Further, sensation seeking and impulsivity were associated with the onset of use of shisha-pens and water pipes. In conclusion, to prevent adolescents from using ATPs and/or conventional cigarettes, it is important to take their personality traits into account. More research on other (shared) risk factors and on more advanced stages of ATP use is needed before effective prevention strategies can be developed.

The structure of consumption of tobacco and nicotine-containing products among the population of the Russian Federation

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 453-462
Author(s):  
O. O. Salagay ◽  
G. M. Sakharova ◽  
N. S. Antonov
Keyword(s):  
Russian Federation ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Opinion Poll ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
Structure Of Consumption

In the Russian Federation, after the adoption of Federal Law “On the Protection of Citizens' Health from the Effects of Tobacco Smoke and the Consequences of Tobacco Use”, the prevalence of smoking tobacco has significantly decreased. Reducing the consumption of smoking tobacco products led to the emergence of a new aggressive policy of tobacco companies, which resulted in the emergence of new “innovative” products and the concepts of “less harmful tobacco product” or “less harmful nicotine-containing product”. The undoubtedly aggressive advertising campaigns of tobacco companies and manufacturers of electronic cigarettes have affected the smoking behavior of tobacco consumers, which has begun to change in recent years.The purpose of this study was to study new trends in the structure of consumption of tobacco and nicotine-containing products in various age groups of the Russian Federation, as well as among men and women.Methods. Analysis of the structure of consumption of tobacco and nicotine-containing products was carried out as part of an online public opinion poll to study the level of awareness of measures to reduce the prevalence of tobacco products in the Russian Federation, initiated in 2019 by the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. A total of 1 282 respondents from 73 regions of the Russian Federation took part in the survey. Among the respondents there were 447 (34.9%) men and 835 women (65.1%) aged 18 years and younger to 70 years. To conduct a comparative analysis of the structure of use of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, the frequencies of their use in different age groups, among men and women, were calculated. A statistically significant difference between the groups was confirmed by analyzing the dependence in the contingency table using the χ2 criterion.Results. A total of 432 respondents reported the use of tobacco and nicotine-containing products, which amounted to 33.7% of all respondents. The most used products were smoking tobacco (57.64%), electronic cigarettes (34.03%) and waterpipe (33.80%). However, in different age groups, the structure of their use was significantly different (p < 0.05). The highest level of electronic cigarette use, including vapors containing nicotine and electronic nicotine delivery product, were found in the age group of 18 years and younger (58.82%). In the older age groups, a significant decrease in the level of consumption was observed. Chewing tobacco and snuff were consumed by consumers significantly less than other tobacco products. Smokeless tobacco was mainly consumed by consumers aged 18 years and younger, its level was 20.58%. The highest level of waterpipe consumption was found among consumers in the age group of 19 – 29 years (53.85%), it was slightly less in the group of 18 years and younger (44.11%). The higher level of waterpipe consumption was detected (40.35%) among women than it was among men (26.47%). Many consumers indicated that they consumed several types of tobacco and nicotine-containing products. The most popular combination of products was found among consumers under the age of 30, and 20.59% of consumers aged 18 and younger consumed at the same time almost all the types of tobacco and nicotine-containing products that were presented on the market.Conclusion. The study revealed new trends in preferences for consumption of tobacco and nicotine-containing products. The new trends have significantly changed the structure of the consumption of these products among the population of Russian Federation.

scholarly journals Student Tobacco Use Behaviours: A Qualitative Study of Alternative Tobacco and Nicotine Product Use in Young Adulthood

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aija Zobena ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
Nicotine Addiction ◽  
Adolescents And Young Adults ◽  
Tobacco Products ◽  
Product Use ◽  
Alternative Tobacco Products

Non-combustible alternative tobacco products such as tobacco-free nicotine pouches, heated tobacco, and electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) marketed as less harmful alternatives to cigarettes as smoking cessation aids are becoming increasingly popular among adolescents and young adults. This age group includes individuals still experimenting with and establishing tobacco use. The aim of the study is to investigate student tobacco use behaviours, particularly novel devices, and alternative products to understand how to decrease tobacco initiation and use among adolescents and young adults. In August 2020, two focus group discussions were organized to obtain information on young people's experience of alternative tobacco and nicotine product use. In each of them, high school students (aged over 18) and students took part. The participants of the focus group discussion were chosen by the “snowball” method. Cessation of smoking and replacing cigarettes with alternative tobacco and nicotine products reduce some of the harmful effects but are not harmless and nicotine addiction remains. By replacing cigarette smoking with the use of tobacco-free nicotine pouches, heated tobacco, or e-cigarettes, one form of nicotine use is being replaced by another. According to the study, young people have no understanding of nicotine addiction and the health risks of using alternative tobacco products. Today's adolescents and young adults often see consumption of tobacco and nicotine products as a mean to construct and project their unique identity.

Electronic cigarettes: How confident and effective are allergists, pulmonologists, and primary care physicians in their practice behavior?

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (3) ◽  
pp. 192-197
Author(s):  
Sherry S. Zhou ◽  
Alan P. Baptist
Keyword(s):  
Primary Care ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Electronic Cigarettes ◽  
The United States ◽  
Fisher Exact Test ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Knowledge And Beliefs ◽  
Tobacco Cigarette ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Personal Use

Background: There has been a striking increase in electronic cigarette (EC) use in the United States. The beliefs and practices toward ECs among physicians are unknown. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate EC practice patterns among allergists, pulmonologists, and primary care physicians. Methods: An anonymous survey was sent to physicians. The survey contained 32 questions and addressed issues related to demographics, cessation counseling behaviors, personal use, and knowledge and beliefs about ECs. Statistical analysis was performed by using analysis of variance, the Pearson χ2 test, Fisher exact test, and logistic regression. Results: A total of 291 physicians completed the survey (222 primary care physicians, 33 pulmonologists, and 36 allergists) for a response rate of 46%. The allergists asked about tobacco cigarette use as frequently as did the pulmonologists and more than the primary care physicians (p < 0.001), but they rarely asked about EC use. The pulmonologists scored highest on self-reported knowledge on ECs, although all the groups answered <40% of the questions correctly. The allergists did not feel as comfortable about providing EC cessation counseling as did the pulmonologists and primary care physicians (p < 0.001). All three groups were equally unlikely to recommend ECs as a cessation tool for tobacco cigarette users. Conclusion: Allergists lacked knowledge and confidence in providing education and cessation counseling for EC users. As the number of patients who use these products continues to increase, there is an urgent need for all physicians to be comfortable and knowledgeable with counseling about ECs.

scholarly journals Foreign Medical Students in Eastern Europe: Knowledge, Attitudes and Beliefs about Medical Cannabis for Pain Management

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2137
Author(s):  
Vsevolod Konstantinov ◽  
Alexander Reznik ◽  
Masood Zangeneh ◽  
Valentina Gritsenko ◽  
Natallia Khamenka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pain Management ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Foreign Students ◽  
Middle Eastern ◽  
Attitudes And Beliefs ◽  
Medical Cannabis ◽  
Knowledge And Beliefs ◽  
Positive Attitudes ◽  
Middle Eastern Students ◽  
And Gender

Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs of foreign students toward the use of medical cannabis (MC) for pain management. Methods: This study uses data collected from 549 foreign students from India (n = 289) and Middle Eastern countries mostly from Egypt, Iran, Syria, and Jordan (n = 260) studying medicine in Russia and Belarus. Data collected from Russian and Belarusian origin medical students (n = 796) were used for comparison purposes. Pearson’s chi-squared and t-test were used to analyze the data. Results: Foreign students’ country of origin and gender statuses do not tend to be correlated with medical student responses toward medical cannabis use. Students from Russia and Belarus who identified as secular, compared to those who were religious, reported more positive attitudes toward medical cannabis and policy change. Conclusions: This study is the first to examine the attitudes, knowledge, and beliefs toward medical cannabis among foreign students from India and Middle Eastern countries studying in Russia and Belarus, two countries who oppose its recreational and medicine use. Indian and Middle Eastern students, as a group, tend to be more supportive of MC than their Russian and Belarusian counterparts. These results may be linked to cultural and historical reasons. This study provides useful information for possible medical and allied health curriculum and education purposes.

scholarly journals Face, Content, and Construct Validity of a Virtual Reality Otoscopy Simulator and Applicability to Medical Training

2021 ◽  
pp. 019459982110328
Author(s):  
Tobias Albrecht ◽  
Christoph Nikendei ◽  
Mark Praetorius
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Construct Validity ◽  
Content Validity ◽  
Medical Training ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Correct Diagnosis ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Tertiary Referral Center ◽  
The Face

Objective Otologic diseases are common in all age groups and can significantly impair the function of this important sensory organ. To make a correct diagnosis, the correct handling of the otoscope and a correctly performed examination are essential. A virtual reality simulator could make it easier to teach this difficult-to-teach skill. The aim of this study was to assess the face, content, and construct validity of the novel virtual reality otoscopy simulator and the applicability to otologic training. Study Design Face and content validity was assessed with a questionnaire. Construct validity was assessed in a prospectively designed controlled trial. Setting Training for medical students at a tertiary referral center. Method The questionnaire used a 6-point Likert scale. The otoscopy was rated with a modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills. Time to complete the task and the percentage of the assessed eardrum surface were recorded. Results The realism of the simulator and the applicability to medical training were assessed across several items. The ratings suggested good face and content validity as well as usefulness and functionality of the simulator. The otolaryngologists significantly outperformed the student group in all categories measured (P < .0001), suggesting construct validity of the simulator. Conclusion In this study, we could demonstrate face, content, and construct validity for a novel high-fidelity virtual reality otoscopy simulator. The results encourage the use of the otoscopy simulator as a complementary tool to traditional teaching methods in a curriculum for medical students.

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