Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Electronic Cigarette Use Among Students at Sulaimani Technical Institute, Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Background: Electronic cigarettes have recently become more popular among young people, despite the potential risks they pose to human health.
Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of e-cigarettes among students at Sulaimani Technical Institute and identify their motives for using e-cigarettes.
Methods: An online-based cross-sectional study was carried out between April 15 and June 30, 2025, among students at Sulaimani Technical Institute to assess their knowledge and attitudes towards e-cigarettes. Simple random sampling was used for selecting respondents. Data were gathered using an online structured questionnaire. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to assess the relationship between categorical variables. For comparing the means, an independent sample test was used. A P-value below 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance.
Results: A total of 343 students participated, 69.4% being female and 51% studying in the medical field. The prevalence of e-cigarette use was 16.6%; this prevalence was higher in males and non-medical students (64.9% and 61.4%, respectively, P <0.05). The main motives for using e-cigarettes were to reduce emotional tension, stress and anxiety, stop smoking, and enjoy flavors of e-cigarettes (31.5%, 29.8%, and 29.8%, respectively). Social media was used by most of the participants (63.6%) as a source of information. The majority of students (79.3%) demonstrated a good knowledge, and 57.1% of them showed opposing attitudes toward e-cigarettes.
Conclusions: The majority of the students had a good knowledge and negative attitudes toward e-cigarettes. The primary source for gaining information was social media. High prevalence of e-cigarette use was observed among students, especially among males and non-medical students; the primary motives for this practice were to reduce emotional tension and stress, stop smoking, and enjoy the flavors of e-cigarettes.
References
- Background: Electronic cigarettes have recently become more popular among young people, despite the potential risks they pose to human health.
- Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitudes of e-cigarettes among students at Sulaimani Technical Institute and identify their motives for using e-cigarettes.
- Methods: An online-based cross-sectional study was carried out between April 15 and June 30, 2025, among students at Sulaimani Technical Institute to assess their knowledge and attitudes towards e-cigarettes. Simple random sampling was used for selecting respondents. Data were gathered using an online structured questionnaire. Chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to assess the relationship between categorical variables. For comparing the means, an independent sample test was used. A P-value below 0.05 was used to determine statistical significance.
- Results: A total of 343 students participated, 69.4% being female and 51% studying in the medical field. The prevalence of e-cigarette use was 16.6%; this prevalence was higher in males and non-medical students (64.9% and 61.4%, respectively, P <0.05). The main motives for using e-cigarettes were to reduce emotional tension, stress and anxiety, stop smoking, and enjoy flavors of e-cigarettes (31.5%, 29.8%, and 29.8%, respectively). Social media was used by most of the participants (63.6%) as a source of information. The majority of students (79.3%) demonstrated a good knowledge, and 57.1% of them showed opposing attitudes toward e-cigarettes.
- Conclusions: The majority of the students had a good knowledge and negative attitudes toward e-cigarettes. The primary source for gaining information was social media. High prevalence of e-cigarette use was observed among students, especially among males and non-medical students; the primary motives for this practice were to reduce emotional tension and stress, stop smoking, and enjoy the flavors of e-cigarettes.
