Effects of the self-efficacy promotion program to reduce e-cigarette smoking behavior among students in a university of Pathum Thani Province

Abstract

This quasi-experimental study aims to examine the effect of a program designed to enhance self-efficacy in order to reduce electronic cigarette use behavior among students at a university in Pathum Thani Province. The sample group consisted of 41 individuals, who were selected through purposive sampling. The research instrument was a program designed to enhance self-efficacy for reducing electronic cigarette use among students. Data were collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using statistical software. Descriptive statistics, including frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation, were used for data analysis. Inferential statistics were analyzed using a Paired Sample t-test. The results indicated that, after participating in the program, the sample group showed higher mean scores in self-efficacy for reducing electronic cigarette use behavior and in their expectations of the outcomes of reducing electronic cigarette use, compared to before participation. The sample group exhibited a significant reduction in electronic cigarette use behavior compared to before participating in the program, with a statistically significant difference (p-value < 0.05). Health practitioners in educational institutions can use strategies to reduce electronic cigarette use by decreasing the amount smoked each day, self-regulation, as well as supporting the refusal of peer or close acquaintances' invitations to smoke electronic cigarettes. These approaches can help promote behavior change and ultimately lead to quitting electronic cigarette use in the future.