Prevalence and associated factors of ever use of electronic cigarettes: Findings from a hospitals and health clinics study based in Malaysia

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are new smoking devices that have gained popularity recently. However, there is limited evidence on e-cigarette consumption in Malaysia. This study aims to determine the prevalence, risk factors and perception associated with e-cigarette use among those attending government hospitals and health clinics in Malaysia. METHODS A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted in seven public hospitals and health clinics in Malaysia, which were selected through a two-stage cluster sampling. A validated questionnaire was used to obtain data from the selected participants. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to determine the association between sociodemographics and perceptions of e-cigarette use. RESULTS Almost three-quarters (73.6%; n=923/1254) of participants were aware of e-cigarettes and 13.2% (n=122/923) reported having ever used e-cigarettes. The prevalence was significantly higher among males (18.1%), smokers (21.4%), and younger age group 18–34 years (30.2%). Ever users showed favourable perceptions towards e-cigarettes compared to non-users (23.3% vs 30.14%, p<0.001). Multivariable logistic regression revealed that current smokers, younger age group and those possessing a positive perception towards e-cigarettes were likely to be ever users of e-cigarettes. CONCLUSIONS The study showed that the awareness level of e-cigarettes was high amongst the population but the prevalence of ever e-cigarette user was moderate. Most of the ever e-cigarette users were male, current smokers, young adults and those with favourable perceptions towards e-cigarettes. Therefore, effective health educational activities regarding safe usage of e-cigarettes targeting those group identified in this study are warranted to reduce the negative outcomes from the use of this product.

University students' knowledge about and attitudes toward e-cigarette use and factors influencing students' e-cigarette use

“…Based on relevant literature, EC use among adolescents could be affected by several factors including risk factors (Barrington-Trimis et al , 2015), psychosocial factor (Barrington-Trimis et al , 2015), factors related socio-economic characteristic (Park et al , 2017; Pitriyanti et al , 2018) and nicotine addiction (Park et al , 2017; Perialathan et al , 2018). Risk factors refer to factors related to one's perceived harmful or negative effects of EC use (Barrington-Trimis et al , 2015).…”

“…Those factors are such as knowledge about ECs and attitudes toward ECs and cigarettes. People who have positive attitudes toward EC use and perceive low risks associated with EC use can be more likely to use ECs (Barrington-Trimis et al , 2015; Pitriyanti et al , 2018; Perialathan et al , 2018). Psychosocial factor refers to one's perceived acceptance of smoking behaviors by social groups such as friends and family members (US Department of Health and Human Services, 2012).…”

“…Those are such as gender, age and income. Most studies reported that males were more likely to use ECs (Barrington-Trimis et al , 2015; Park et al , 2017; Perialathan et al , 2018), and the study of Perialathan et al (Perialathan et al (2018) also reported that EC use among younger age group was the highest. The study of Park et al (2017) found that adolescents having a greater amount of monthly allowance were more likely to use ECs than those who having a lower amount of monthly allowance.…”

“…People's nicotine addiction is also influential. Some studies revealed that people who were a cigarette smoker were more likely to use ECs (Park et al , 2017; Perialathan et al , 2018) because they would like to try a new smoking product.…”

Effects of Knowledge on Second-hand Smoke on Support for Tobacco Free Policy among University Students

“…There are many different types of tobacco products available in the market, such as electronic cigarettes, shisha, and chewable tobacco. The consumption of smokeless tobacco with the use of electronic cigarettes had increased to was reported worrisome because of almost one-fifth, 19.1% among school-going children between 10-19 years of age (Perialathan et al, 2018), although a lot lesser prevalence among adults. (3.2%) between 18-24 years old (Nik et al, 2017).…”