The prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of tobacco and nicotine use among students in healthcare disciplines in Saudi Arabian universities: a cross-sectional survey
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Author(s)
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
Background: Tobacco smoking is one of the most significant health-related problems worldwide. However, the prevalence and sociodemographic determinants of tobacco and nicotine use among students on healthcare courses in Saudi Arabia are limited.
Methods: This cross-sectional study used a questionnaire that was distributed via SurveyMonkey between November 2022 and June 2023 to all student universities offering healthcare courses. Data are presented as frequency and percentages. The associated sociodemographic factors with current tobacco and nicotine use were subjected to logistic regression.
Results: Overall, 5,012, of whom 3,872 (77.25%) were males, responded to the online survey. The prevalence of current tobacco and nicotine use was 3,553 (71%). The majority of users used electronic nicotine delivery systems (1,622: 32.36%). The current use of cigarettes (AOR: 1.75 (1.42 to 2.15)), e-cigarettes (AOR: 1.17 (1.01 to 1.37)), and smokeless tobacco substances (AOR: 1.35 (1.02 to 1.90)) were more pronounced among males compared to female students. However, the current use of a hookah was less among males (AOR: 0.74 (95% CI: 61 to 0.91)). Smoking cigarettes was practiced less among students living in other regions compared to the Central Region. However, smokeless tobacco substances seem to be more prevalent in the Western, Southern, and Northern Regions, (AOR: 1.57 (95% CI: 1.09 to 2.26)), (AOR: 1.43 (95% CI: 1.04 to 1.95)), and (AOR: 1.57 (95% CI: 1.09 to 2.26)), respectively.
Conclusion: Smoking is prevalent among students in the healthcare disciplines, with electronic nicotine delivery systems being the most used product. Several sociodemographic factors were associated with higher tobacco or nicotine use.
Methods: This cross-sectional study used a questionnaire that was distributed via SurveyMonkey between November 2022 and June 2023 to all student universities offering healthcare courses. Data are presented as frequency and percentages. The associated sociodemographic factors with current tobacco and nicotine use were subjected to logistic regression.
Results: Overall, 5,012, of whom 3,872 (77.25%) were males, responded to the online survey. The prevalence of current tobacco and nicotine use was 3,553 (71%). The majority of users used electronic nicotine delivery systems (1,622: 32.36%). The current use of cigarettes (AOR: 1.75 (1.42 to 2.15)), e-cigarettes (AOR: 1.17 (1.01 to 1.37)), and smokeless tobacco substances (AOR: 1.35 (1.02 to 1.90)) were more pronounced among males compared to female students. However, the current use of a hookah was less among males (AOR: 0.74 (95% CI: 61 to 0.91)). Smoking cigarettes was practiced less among students living in other regions compared to the Central Region. However, smokeless tobacco substances seem to be more prevalent in the Western, Southern, and Northern Regions, (AOR: 1.57 (95% CI: 1.09 to 2.26)), (AOR: 1.43 (95% CI: 1.04 to 1.95)), and (AOR: 1.57 (95% CI: 1.09 to 2.26)), respectively.
Conclusion: Smoking is prevalent among students in the healthcare disciplines, with electronic nicotine delivery systems being the most used product. Several sociodemographic factors were associated with higher tobacco or nicotine use.
Date Issued
2024-03-07
Date Acceptance
2024-02-28
Citation
Frontiers in Public Health, 2024, 12
ISSN
2296-2565
Publisher
Frontiers Media S.A.
Journal / Book Title
Frontiers in Public Health
Volume
12
Copyright Statement
© 2024 Aldhahir, Siraj, Alqarni, Alqahtani, Alyami, Majrshi, Alwafi, Alqahtani, Monshi, Al-Zalabani and Alanazi. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
License URL
Identifier
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1348370/full
Publication Status
Published
Article Number
1348370
Date Publish Online
2024-03-07