Prevalence of use, perceptions of harm and addictiveness, and dependence of electronic cigarettes among adults in Kuwait: A cross-sectional study
Introduction Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become one of the most common forms of nicotine delivery used by youth and young adults worldwide. Given the lack of epidemiologic data in Kuwait, this study sought to estimate the prevalence of e-cigarette use, assess perceptions of harm and ad...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
European Publishing
2023-07-01
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| Series: | Tobacco Induced Diseases |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tobaccoinduceddiseases.org/Prevalence-of-use-perceptions-of-harm-and-addictiveness-and-dependence-of-electronic,163300,0,2.html |
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| Summary: | Introduction
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become one of the most
common forms of nicotine delivery used by youth and young adults worldwide.
Given the lack of epidemiologic data in Kuwait, this study sought to estimate the
prevalence of e-cigarette use, assess perceptions of harm and addictiveness of
e-cigarettes, measure the level of dependence on e-cigarettes and assess factors
associated with dependence level among adults.
Methods
A cross-sectional study enrolled adults (n=3032, aged ≥18 years) living
in Kuwait using a web-based questionnaire. Participants self-reported ever and
current (past 30-day) e-cigarette use and self-completed the 10-item Penn State
E-cigarette Dependence Index. Associations were evaluated using multinomial
logistic regression.
Results
The prevalence of ever and current e-cigarette use was estimated to be
40.2% (1220/3032) and 29.4% (892/3032), respectively. The prevalence of
current e-cigarette use was higher in males compared to females (47.6% vs
14.4%, p<0.001). Relative to cigarette smoking, 40.6% of participants reported
that e-cigarettes are less harmful, and 41.8% indicated that e-cigarettes are equally
addictive. Among current e-cigarette users (n=892), 84.8% were ascertained to
have developed either low, medium, or high dependence. The use of pod-based
devices compared to disposable devices was associated with a high dependence
level (adjusted odds ratio, AOR=8.56; 95% CI: 4.52–16.22).
Conclusions
These findings suggest that a large proportion of adults in Kuwait
use e-cigarettes, and a considerable proportion of current users have developed
dependence. Therefore, such results should alert public health authorities and
warrant the development of evidence-based awareness campaigns, policies, and
prevention measures to protect and improve the health of people. |
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| ISSN: | 1617-9625 |