Electronic cigarettes use and perception amongst medical students, a cross sectional survey from Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: The manufacturers of e-cigarettes are actively marketing their product by using electronic and social media. However there is scarcity of data regarding it use and perception among medical students of a developing country like Pakistan. Methods: A Cross sectional survey was conducted from 1st July till 30th September 2016 in five medical universities of Sindh, Pakistan. A self-administered questionnaire was used, a total of 500 medical students consented to participate in the study Results: The mean age was 21.5±1.7 years and 58% were females. Over 65% had knowledge about e-cigarettes and majority were tobacco user (87.6%, p< 0.001).The frequency of e-cigarette use was 6.2% while daily use was 1.2% and was found higher among tobacco user 13.9% and males 74% (p< 0.001).E-Cigarettes were mostly perceived as less harmful than tobacco cigarettes(39%), helpful in quitting smoking (27%),associated with respiratory diseases (36%),addictive (36%) and not safe for pregnancy(44%).E-cigarette users were found to be more indulged in other tobacco products including conventional cigarettes (80.6%), shisha(83.9%) and smokeless tobacco (38.7%). Conclusions: Although the use of e-cigarettes among medical students is low but most of the students who took on e-cigarettes ended up as a dual user rather than quitter.