Knowledge, Perceptions and Use of Electronic Cigarettes Among Health Professionals: Knowledge, Perceptions and Use of Electronic Cigarettes

Ferheen  Shahbaz; Hafiz Waqas Ahmad; Saeed  Ahmad; Isma  Abid; Abdurahman  Abdisamad Mohamad; Nimra  Ansa; Naveed  Haider; Javeria  Saleem; Naveed  Tahir; Mehreen  Shahbaz

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v4i02.576

Authors

Ferheen Shahbaz Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Hafiz Waqas Ahmad Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Saeed Ahmad Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Isma Abid Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Abdurahman Abdisamad Mohamad Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Nimra Ansa Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Naveed Haider Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Javeria Saleem Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Naveed Tahir Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Mehreen Shahbaz Department of Public Health, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v4i02.576

Keywords:

E-Cigarettes, E-Cigarette Use, Knowledge, Perceived Harms, Tobacco, Smoking, Vaping

Abstract

In the developing era we are facing increasing prevalence of tobacco use and rapid increase of e-cigarette. Health professional are no longer found to abstain from e-cigarettes. The growing interest of vaping in our society leads to us a debate that e-cigarette are the tools to refrain from smoking or these are provoking people towards more smoking. Objectives: to evaluate the knowledge and concepts of e-cigarettes. And how the health professional perceive the use of vaping over smoking tobacco? What are the attitudes of vaping in health care professional? Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study based on questionnaire filling survey, filled by 350 health professionals working in Jinnah hospital Lahore. The questionnaire compromises on four parts; demographic data, knowledge and attitudes toward vaping behavior, interest and trend of e-cigarettes, and perception of harms and health related risks. Results: data collected from 350 individuals. Average age of health professionals included in study was 30.6(2.60). A large percentage was found for former smokers 22% and current smokers 39%. Vape users also found in increasing percentages.so far the mass media roles were evaluated in smoking cessations. A cumulative percentage of 42%, electronic cigarettes were supported by the health professionals. Despite of good knowledge most of the professional had opinion in support of e-cigarettes upto 64% and the results were significantly proven by p-value 0.03. the knowledge and attitudes that e-cigarettes is less harmful than combustible tobacco smoking with and cumulative percent of 76% . Conclusion: health care professionals working in Jinnah hospital Lahore have favorable attitudes towards vaping or e-cigarettes perceived thought of vaping is less harmful than tobacco smoking is also highlighted. The need of the hour is to highlight the health related problems by e-cigarettes in our society to control the behaviors of population towards e-cigarettes.

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