E-cigarette Use Prevention Model for University Students at Kamphaeng Phet Rajabhat University

Abstract

The prevalence of e-cigarette use among university students is increasing, posing both short- and long-term health risks. This mixed-methods research aimed to examine the current situation and factors associated with e-cigarette use among students at Kamphaeng Phet Rajabhat University, as well as to develop and evaluate a model for preventing e-cigarette use. The population consisted of students from all academic years across 5 faculties, totaling 4,618 people.  The qualitative sample included 16 participants selected using snowball sampling, while the quantitative sample consisted of 355 students determined using the Krejcie and Morgan formula and selected through stratified random sampling. Research instruments included semi-structured interview guides and questionnaires that were validated for content validity and reliability by three experts. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis, whereas quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, logistic regression, and paired t-tests.

The research findings revealed that most students perceived e-cigarettes as harmless, were easily accessible through online channels, were influenced by peers, and lacked adequate knowledge regarding health consequences. Significant factors associated with e-cigarette use included peer invitation (OR = 5.12), having friends who use e-cigarettes (OR = 1.21), a history of conventional cigarette smoking (OR = 2.19), positive attitudes toward e-cigarette use (OR = 2.12), and easy accessibility to e-cigarettes (OR = 1.89). Based on these findings, a preventive model comprising five core components was developed: 1) Knowledge Empowerment, 2) Peer Group Engagement, 3) Risk Reduction & Regulation, 4) University Policy & Participation, and 5) Lesson Learned. This model was symbolically named the KPRUL Model. Expert evaluation rated the model at the highest level of appropriateness (mean = 4.51, SD = 0.61). Furthermore, implementation with 156 students demonstrated significant increase in mean knowledge and attitude scores after participation (p < 0.05). These results suggest that the KPRUL Model is effective in preventing e-cigarette use among university students and should be promoted for broader implementation in other educational institutions.