Effectiveness of ENDS, NRT and medication for smoking cessation among cigarette-only users: a longitudinal analysis of PATH Study wave 3 (2015–2016) and 4 (2016–2017), adult data

BackgroundResearch is inconclusive on the effectiveness of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) as cigarette cessation aids compared with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or non-NRT medication. This study compared the cigarette cessation rates for ENDS, NRT and non-NRT medication.MethodPopulation Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study wave 3 cigarette-only users who used ENDS, NRT or non-NRT medication (varenicline and bupropion) to quit smoking between wave 3 and 4 were included. ‘Cessation’ was defined as being a former cigarette smoker in wave 4. χ2, logistic regression, and a sensitivity analysis with Bayes factor assessed the association between quitting smoking and method used.ResultsAmong 6794 cigarette-only users, 532 used ENDS (n=75), NRT (n=289), non-NRT medication (n=68), or a combination of NRT and non-NRT medication (n=100) to quit smoking between wave 3 and 4. The percentages of quitting smoking among those who used ENDS, NRT, non-NRT medication, and a combination of NRT and non-NRT medication were 16.2% (n=14), 16.1% (n=47), 17.7% (n=13), and 14.8% (n=12), respectively (p=0.97). None of the cigarette-only users who used ENDS to quit smoking became ENDS-only users in wave 4; 37.6% became dual users of ENDS and cigarettes.ConclusionNo differences were found when cessation rates of ENDS, NRT or non-NRT medication were compared. Given uncertainty about the long-term health effect of ENDS and the likelihood of becoming dual users, people who smoke and need assistance quitting should be encouraged to use current Food and Drug Administration-approved cessation methods until more effective methods are developed.

Post-Acute-COVID-19-Illness Pulmonary Sequelae

Pulmonary function abnormalities in post-acute-COVID-19-illness survivors could be due to a decrease in both diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon dioxide (DLCO) and transfer coefficient of the lung for carbon monoxide (KCO) [1]. Alveolar-capillary damage, microvascular pathological lesions, or anemia can contribute to reduction of the KCO [1]. Post-acute-COVID-19-illness pulmonary fibrosis and post-acute-MERS-associated pulmonary fibrosis were highly associated with old aging ranging from 60- to 70-years age group (13 out of 30 (43.3 %)), demonstrated by Wong et al and Das et al [2, 3]. Post-acute-COVID-19-illness pulmonary fibrosis was 1.3 times more predominant in males, compared to females, possibly explained by the effect of androgen that promotes the transcription of transmembrane protease serine 2 gene, and was much higher incidence in cigarette smoker (18 of 30 patients (60 %)), compared to non-smoking patients [4, 5]. This gene impairs hose’s antibody response and facilitates the fusion of the virus-hose cells [4]. Dyspnea, the most common persistent symptom of the pulmonary sequelae ranged from 42 % to 66 % prevalence at 60-100 days of following-up [6-9], supported by the result of lower median 6-minutes walking distance comparing to the normal reference values in one-fourth of the patients at 6 months in the post-acute-COVID-19-illlness Chinese study that was similar to the prevalence in SARS and MERS survivors [10, 11].

Prevalence of Alcohol Use and Associated Factors among Dilla University Students, Dilla Town, Southern Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction. Globally, alcohol is one of the most prevalent forms of substance use that is particularly high among young age groups. Despite the adverse health and social challenges associated with alcohol use, it is one of the most common risky behaviours among university students. Objective. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of alcohol use and associated factors among Dilla University students in Southern Ethiopia. Methods. An institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted at Dilla University among undergraduate regular students from January to February 2018. A systematic random sampling technique was used to get a total sample of 803 students each year from the department of the university. The collected data were coded, entered into Epi Info version 7.1, and analyzed with SPSS version 20. Results. A total of 803 participants were successfully interviewed with a response rate of 91.7%. Alcohol use prevalence was 41.8% (n = 336) among participants. Being in fourth year (AOR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.64, 4.31), having friends who use the substance (AOR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.1), being a khat user (AOR = 1.48, 95% CI: 1.05, 2.09), and being a cigarette smoker (AOR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.09, 2.84) were found to be significantly associated with alcohol use. Conclusion. The current study revealed that fourth-year students, having friends who use the substance, being khat user, and being cigarette smoker had higher odds of alcohol use among the students. So the findings suggest that effective campus-based counselling and peer education should be implemented for early prevention, detection, and alleviation of alcohol use among students in the university.

Spatial distribution and correlates of smoking in Zambia

ObjectiveThe objective of the paper was to investigate the spatial distribution and correlates of tobacco smoking in various regions of Zambia.MethodsThis paper adopts a cross-sectional study design. The study used data from the 2013/2014 Zambia Demographic Health Survey which is a nationwide health survey conducted in all the 10 provinces. A random sample of men and women from 15 920 households was successfully selected and interviewed. All women aged 15–49 and men aged 15–59 who were either permanent residents of the households or visitors present in the households on the night before the survey were eligible to be interviewed.ResultsThe results show that 8.2% and 11% of Zambians in urban and rural areas smoke, respectively. In urban areas, the risk of being a cigarette smoker was 2.31 (CI: 1.69 to 3.16) and 2.03 (CI: 1.36 to 3.02) times higher for the divorced and separated. However, the risk of being a cigarette smoker was lower for those with some formal education. In rural areas, the risk of being a cigarette smoker was lower for the married (relative risk ratios (RRR): 0.69, CI: 0.55 to 0.86) and those with a formal education. Nevertheless, in rural areas, the risk of being a pipe and other smoker was higher for those who were self-employed (RRR: 8.46, CI: 2.95 to 24.20) and with an occupation (RRR: 2.37, CI: 1.39 to 4.02) but was lower among women.ConclusionTobacco smoking varies between and within regions as well as provinces. Therefore, interventions to curbsmoking should target specific demographic, socioeconomic and cultural factors and how they are spatially distributed.