scholarly journals Prevalence, Risk Factors, Harm Perception, and Attitudes Toward E-cigarette Use Among University Students in Qatar: A Cross-Sectional Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rana Kurdi ◽  
Ghadir Fakhri Al-Jayyousi ◽  
Manar Yaseen ◽  
Aatefeh Ali ◽  
Neama Mosleh ◽  
...  

Background: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is becoming more popular worldwide, especially among youth. Studies report that university students have inadequate knowledge as well as misconceptions about the health risks of e-cigarettes, which may lead to their use even in populations where smoking prevalence is relatively low. At this age, the influence of peers is also significant. Understanding attitudes of university students toward the use of e-cigarettes is important for effective tobacco prevention interventions. In this study, we assess the prevalence of e-cigarette use among students in Qatar's largest national university, as well as their knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of harm in relation to e-cigarettes.Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study among Qatar University students using a self-administered online questionnaire. Descriptive univariate analyses were conducted as well as bivariate analyses to check the association of e-cigarette use with variables of interest. A binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess determinants of e-cigarette use among students.Results: One hundred ninety-nine students completed the questionnaire. The prevalence of e-cigarette use among students was 14%, with no significant difference by gender (16.2% in males and 12.8% in females). In bivariate analyses, significantly fewer e-cigarette users believed that e-cigarettes cause disease compared to non-users. 67.9% of e-cigarette users compared to 37.6% of non-users believed that e-cigarettes were less harmful than traditional cigarettes, and 78.6% of users compared to 40.4% of non-users believed that their use could be helpful in preventing smoking traditional cigarettes. Bivariate associations between e-cigarette use and knowledge items were significant (p < 0.05) as well as having a smoker among siblings or friends. In the multivariate analysis, only having a friend who was a smoker remained significant after controlling for other variables (OR = 7.3, p < 0.001).Conclusion: Our study found that university students have knowledge gaps and misconceptions with regard to the harms associated with e-cigarettes use, especially among users. A comprehensive smoking prevention policy, educational interventions, and quit support are needed to enhance awareness among university students about the health effects associated with e-cigarettes use. Such interventions should also take into account the influence of peers on smoking practices.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rana Kurdi ◽  
Hanan Abdul Rahim ◽  
Ghadir Al-Jayyousi ◽  
Manar Yaseen ◽  
Aetefeh Ali ◽  
...  

Background: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is becoming popular worldwide especially among youth. Research reported that university students have poor knowledge and misconceptions about the health risks of e-cigarettes, which may lead students to use them even in populations where prevalence of cigarette smoking is relatively low. At this age, the influence of peers is also significant. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of e-cigarette use among university students as well as their knowledge and attitudes towards e-cigarettes. Methodology: We conducted a cross-sectional study among Qatar University students using a self-administered online questionnaire. Descriptive univariate analysis of all variables was conducted as well as a bivariate analysis to check the association of e-cigarette use with selected variables. A binary logistic regression was conducted to assess predictors of e-cigarette use. Results: The prevalence of e-cigarette use among students was found to be 14% where 32% of them were daily users. Approximately 42% of the participants agreed that ‘e-cigarettes are less harmful to health compared to traditional cigarettes, and 45.7% of them agreed that ‘e-cigarettes can prevent smoking traditional cigarettes. The prevalence of e-cigarettes use was 16.2% among males and 12.8% among females, which showed no significant difference between the two genders. Females were more likely to use e-cigarettes because they “don’t smell” (P-value=0.023). The study showed a significant association between e-cigarette use and knowledge items (P-value < 0.05) and having a smoker among siblings or friends. At the multivariate analysis level, only the friends’ effect remained significant after controlling for the other variables (OR= 7.3, P-value=0.000). Conclusion: Our research found that university students have inadequate knowledge and misconceptions in regards to e-cigarettes use, especially among users. Effective smoking prevention policy and educational interventions are needed to enhance awareness among university students about the health effects associated with e-cigarettes use.


BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. e043814
Author(s):  
Mesfin Tadese ◽  
Andargachew Kassa ◽  
Abebaw Abeje Muluneh ◽  
Girma Altaye

ObjectivesThe study aimed to provide an association between dysmenorrhoea and academic performance among university students in Ethiopia. Further, the study attempts to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of dysmenorrhoea.Design and methodInstitution-based cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 April to 28 April 2019. A semistructured and pretested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Binary logistic regression analysis and one-way analysis of variance were performed to model dysmenorrhoea and academic performance, respectively.Setting and participantsEthiopia (2019: n=647 female university students).OutcomesThe primary outcome is dysmenorrhoea, which has been defined as painful menses that prevents normal activity and requires medication. The self-reported cumulative grade point average of students was used as a proxy measure of academic performance, which is the secondary outcome.ResultsThe prevalence of dysmenorrhoea was 317 (51.5%). The educational status of father (adjusted OR (AOR) (95% CI) 2.64 (1.04 to 6.66)), chocolate consumption (AOR (95% CI) 3.39 (95% 1.28 to 8.93)), daily breakfast intake (<5 days/week) (AOR (95% CI) 0.63 (0.42 to 0.95)), irregular menstrual cycle AOR (95% CI) 2.34 (1.55 to 3.54)) and positive family history of dysmenorrhoea AOR (95% CI) 3.29 (2.25 to 4.81)) had statistically significant association with dysmenorrhoea. There was no statistically significant difference in academic performance among students with and without dysmenorrhoea (F (3611)=1.276, p=0.28)).ConclusionsDysmenorrhoea was a common health problem among graduating University students. However, it has no statistically significant impact on academic performance. Reproductive health officers should educate and undermine the negative academic consequences of dysmenorrhoea to reduce the physical and psychological stress that happens to females and their families.


2018 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 367-369 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wemerson José Corrêa de Oliveira ◽  
Alexandre Figueiredo Zobiole ◽  
Claudia Bonadiman de Lima ◽  
Rebeca Melo Zurita ◽  
Pedro Eduardo Muniz Flores ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: To analyze the prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) awareness and experimentation among university students, as well as the characteristics associated with that awareness. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in 2015, in which 489 university students at the Federal University of Mato Grosso (Cuiabá campus), Brazil, were interviewed with the use of a specific questionnaire. We estimated the prevalence of e-cigarette awareness and use, as well as analyzing the major characteristics associated with that awareness and use. Results: The prevalence of e-cigarette awareness was 37%, and the rate of e-cigarette experimentation was 2.7%. Awareness of e-cigarettes was found to be associated with marital status, work status, the level of parental education, and the presence or absence of smokers in the family. Conclusions: A high proportion of university students were aware of e-cigarettes. Although the prevalence of those who had experimented with e-cigarettes was low, there is concern that there could be an increase in the use of these types of device. There is a need for measures targeting university students, in order to build awareness of and prevent e-cigarette use.


2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 681-686
Author(s):  
Shah Faisal ◽  
Junaidi Khotib ◽  
Elida Zairina

Abstract Objectives Pakistan has taken unprecedented measures to control the spread of COVID-19. Complete lockdown followed by smart lockdown and quarantine centres was established. Their awareness and attitude towards COVID-19 had an impact on the individual behaviour of the precautionary measures. The current study examined the knowledge, attitudes and practices of university students in Pakistan. Methods An online cross-sectional study was conducted among university students in Pakistan. A questionnaire containing demographic and KAP information related to COVID-19 has been created. Results A total of 358 students responded to the survey, and 353 participants completed the study. Among the respondents, 61.5% were male, 76.8% were single, and 58.4% enrolled in a bachelor’s degree. The results showed that most of the respondents (68%) had good knowledge about COVID-19, while the overall knowledge score was 8.78 ± 1.63 (range 1–10). The majority of the respondents (90.9%) were aware of COVID-19, 95.8% knew the sign and symptoms, and 83% of them knew about its transmission. We found a significant difference in knowledge scores across education and area of study p<0.05. More than half (53.5%) of the respondents were satisfied with the facilities provided by the government of Pakistan. The average practices score among the students was 5.08 ± 1.312. A significant difference was found among practice score and area of study p<0.05. Conclusions Most of the students have an adequate level of knowledge and are doing better preventive measures against COVID-19. Health education initiatives are required to ensure best practice among the high-risk groups.


Author(s):  
Zahid Latif ◽  
Junaid Jamshed ◽  
Muhammad Mushtaq Khan

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Smoking is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Smoking killed more than 6 million people, about 80% in the developing countries such as Pakistan in 2011. Now it has become major public health issue in the world.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 542 students at University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir in Muzaffarabad, Pakistan from July to December 2015. The data were collected using a pre-tested, self-administered, validated questionnaire requiring information about socio-demographic characteristics, practice and patterns of cigarette smoking, knowledge about its harmful effects and attitude towards smoking control and prevention measures.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> The prevalence of cigarette smoking among students was 49.5%. The mean age for starting cigarette smoking was 19.2±2.73 years. Cigarette smoking constituted 61.3% and shisha constituted 18.4%. The main reason for cigarette smoking was peer pressure (35.0%) followed by family influencing (24.5%). About 79.5% of the smokers had intension to quit smoking. There was no significant difference (p value=0.484) between prevalence of cigarette smoking in different faculties of University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The majority of the students (84.3%) knew that smoking is harmful for their health. However, rates of non-smoking students who knew the adverse effects of smoking were significantly higher than that of students who smoke. A high rate of students showed positive attitude towards smoking prevention and control measures.</p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> High prevalence of cigarette smoking was reported among students. There is a need to implement an anti-smoking program among students at University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 64
Author(s):  
Annisa Shofa Tsuraya ◽  
Haryanto Atmowardoyo

The objectives of this research were to know students’ vocabulary size; and to know whether there was significant difference of vocabulary size among the students of different levels of English Education Department Faculty of Teacher Training and Education of Makassar Muhammadiyah University in academic year 2017/2018. This study used quantitative descriptive and cross-sectional study as the design of the study. The sample of this study were the first, third, fifth, and seventh semester students. The instrument of this study is a vocabulary size test. It used one-way ANOVA to analyze the data of the test. The findings reveal that the highest mean score was the seventh semester students and the lowest mean score was the third semester students. And the most beyond expectation was the mean score of the first semester students which gone over the third and fifth semester students’ mean score. There is significant difference of the vocabulary size among the students of different levels. The result showed F-value (F0) 11.11 is greater than F-table (Ft) 2.60, (11.11 ≥ 2.60). Then the p value is 0.000 lower than 0.05 (0.000 ≤ 0.05). Hence, it can be concluded that H0is rejected and H1is accepted. Post Hoc Multiple Comparison showed that significant difference did not exist between some groups and only exist between two groups. Clearly, from the result, it can be said that there was significant difference of vocabulary size among the university students of different levels of English Department of Makassar Muhammadiyah University.Keywords: vocabulary, vocabulary size test


2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Helal ◽  
H. S. Abou-ElWafa

Background. Self-medication is a common practice in developed and developing countries.Objectives. To explore the prevalence of self-medication practices among university students, probable reasons, symptoms requiring self-medication, and sources of advice.Methods. A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in Mansoura University, Egypt, and included 1st and last year students of both medical and nonmedical faculties.Results. Prevalence of self-medication was 62.9%. Younger age, female, medical, and ever-married students and those having home pharmacy tended to self-medicate more than their peers with significant difference between them. Being medical student, being from urban area, having good current health condition, being careless about health, and having drugs stored at home pharmacy were independently associated with the likelihood of self-medicating.Conclusion. Prevalence of self-medication among university students is high which constitutes a health problem that needs intervention.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 735
Author(s):  
Sulistyawati Sulistyawati ◽  
Syamsu Hidayat ◽  
Siwi Pramatama Mars Wijayanti ◽  
Tri Wahyuni Sukesi ◽  
Siti Kurnia Widi Hastuti ◽  
...  

The presence of asymptomatic people exacerbates the widespread Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) transmission. The majority of them come from young people. This study aimed to explore the knowledge, attitude, and practice related to COVID-19 among university students in Indonesia, and the potential factor influenced their knowledge. A cross-sectional study involved 1,427 university students were carried out using an online survey from March 28 to April 10, 2020. A structured questionnaire consist of six sections focuses on knowledge, attitude, and preventive measure related to COVID-19 was used to collect the data. The analysis was performed using descriptive, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Results of the analysis indicated a significant difference in terms of mean between males and females regarding knowledge about preventing and protect others from COVID-19, the risk factor of getting COVID-19 infection, and knowledge that COVID-19 is curable. Knowledge total score among the respondent, there was a significant difference within the research group. This study demonstrates that the respondent has a basic knowledge about COVID-19 and the proper attitude, but it seems they are not consistent on practice in a particular measure.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (4) ◽  
pp. 361-368
Author(s):  
Yousef Moghadas Tabrizi ◽  
◽  
Mohammad Karimizadeh Ardakani ◽  
Meysam Yavari Kateb ◽  
Mohammad hani Mansori ◽  
...  

Objectives: This study aimed to examine Musculoskeletal Pains (MPs) among newly admitted university students and investigate the effect of gender differences on the prevalence of MPs. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 2641 university students (1303 men, 1338 women). The study data were collected from the Health Center of the University of Tehran in the fall of 2019. Musculoskeletal pains in students were examined using the Nordic questionnaire. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and the Chi-squared test. Results: The highest prevalence rates of MPs in the past 12 months, past 7 days, and problems that inhibited routine activities in the past 12 months were reported in the neck area (13.4%, 5.8%, and 10.5%, respectively), and the lowest rates in the elbow (1.5%, 0.6%, and 1%, respectively). Findings also indicated a significant difference between men and women regarding MPs in the neck and shoulders in all three items of the Nordic questionnaire (P<0.05). Discussion: Based on these results, it is necessary to prevent musculoskeletal pains, especially in the neck and back, among the newly admitted students to the university.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0262090
Author(s):  
Nour A. Al-Sawalha ◽  
Basima A. Almomani ◽  
Enas Mokhemer ◽  
Samah F. Al-Shatnawi ◽  
Roba Bdeir

The use of e-cigarettes has been increasing in popularity among people, especially young adults. Assessing young individuals’ perceptions of e-cigarettes can help to identify factors that may influence their decision to use e-cigarettes. To examine prevalence, perceptions, and knowledge of e-cigarettes among university students in Jordan, an observational cross-sectional study using an online self-administered questionnaire was conducted among students from public and private universities between October 2020 and January 2021. A total of 1259 university students completed the questionnaire. Approximately, 11% of participants reported e-cigarettes use. Among users, 26.5% used it for the purpose of smoking cessation, while 22% of them used it out of curiosity, and 20.5% used it as they believed it is less harmful than other tobacco products. Multivariate analysis showed that conventional cigarette smokers were independently associated with a better knowledge about e-cigarettes (OR = 1.496, 95CI% = 1.018–2.197, p-value = 0.040). In addition, medical students showed a significantly better knowledge compared to non-medical students (OR = 1.710, 95CI% = 1.326–2.204, p-value = <0.001). In Jordan, e-cigarettes use is less popular compared to other countries. Nonetheless, educational interventions are needed to correct misconceptions about e-cigarettes among young adults.


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