FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH E-CIGARETTE USAGE BEHAVIORS AMONG STUDENTS OF NAKHON PATHOM RAJABHAT UNIVERSITY

Abstract

This descriptive cross-sectional study aims to explore factors associated with e-cigarette usage among university students. The research sample comprised regular undergraduate students aged 18 years and above, enrolled in years 1-4 at Nakhon Pathom Rajabhat University during the academic year 2023, totaling 409 individuals. The research employed various tools, including a questionnaire assessing student smoking behaviors, inquiries about perceptions and attitudes toward electronic cigarettes, and a stress assessment form (ST-5). Data analysis involved the use of descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis.

The findings of the research reveal that among the sample group, e-cigarettes has the highest usage recorded at 62.84 percent. The majority of these individuals exclusively use e-cigarettes, with 41.88 percent using them daily. The majority of participants initiated e-cigarette usage between the ages of 16 to 18, constituting 41.02 percent, with a prevalent tendency to smoke whenever the opportunity arises, at 40.17 percent. The primary reason cited for commencing e-cigarette usage was stress relief, with 40.17 percent indicating this as their main motive. Students with low awareness about e-cigarettes were found to have a 3.03 times higher risk of using e-cigarettes (AOR = 3.03, 95%CI = 1.62 - 5.68). Additionally, students with an agreeable attitude towards smoking electronic cigarettes were 4.42 times more likely to engage in e-cigarette smoking (AOR = 4.42, 95%CI = 1.19 - 6.93), whereas those who disagreed with smoking e-cigarettes had a lower likelihood. Moreover, students with friends who smoke e-cigarettes exhibited a 20.00 times higher likelihood of using e-cigarettes (AOR = 20.00, 95%CI = 10.22 - 39.16) compared to those without such friends. Students with higher incomes were 3.42 times more likely to smoke e-cigarettes (AOR = 3.42, 95%CI = 1.50 - 7.77) than those with lower incomes.

Based on these findings, the study recommends that universities should plan to create guidelines to promote good attitudes regarding not smoking e-cigarettes, educate about the dangers of e-cigarettes, and promote rejection skills to develop strategies for preventing e-cigarette use among university students.