Original Research

Electronic cigarettes use in COVID-19 era among students of a tertiary institution in Nigeria

Oluwafunmike A. Ogwa, Abdulhakeem O. Abiola, Oluchi J. Kanma-Okafor, Tolulope F. Olufunlayo, Azeezat O. Shopeyin- Dosunmu, Babatunde A. Akodu, Omonigho D. Ogwa
African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine | Vol 15, No 1 | a3704 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/phcfm.v15i1.3704 | © 2023 Oluwafunmike A. Ogwa, Abdulhakeem O. Abiola, Oluchi J. Kanma-Okafor, Tolulope F. Olufunlayo, Azeezat O. Shopeyin-Dosunmu, Babatunde A. Akodu, Omonigho D. Ogwa | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 20 June 2022 | Published: 17 January 2023

About the author(s)

Oluwafunmike A. Ogwa, Department of Community Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria; and Department of Medical Services, Doctorkk Health International Ltd, Lagos, Nigeria
Abdulhakeem O. Abiola, Department of Community Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria; and Department of Community Health, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Oluchi J. Kanma-Okafor, Department of Community Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Tolulope F. Olufunlayo, Department of Community Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria; and Department of Community Health, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Azeezat O. Shopeyin- Dosunmu, Department of Community Health, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Babatunde A. Akodu, Department of Community Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria
Omonigho D. Ogwa, Department of Medical Services, Doctorkk Health International Ltd, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use is becoming popular among undergraduate students in Nigeria with a tendency for escalation because of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess electronic cigarette use in COVID-19 era among undergraduate students of a tertiary institution in Lagos state, Southwestern Nigeria.

Setting: A tertiary institution in Southwestern Nigeria.

Methods: The study design was a descriptive cross-sectional study with a pretested, structured, close- and open-ended self-administered questionnaire used for collection of data on knowledge, attitude and use of e-cigarettes.

Results: Data from 183 respondents were analysed. The mean age of respondents was 24.8 ± 3.38 years, most (63%) of whom were males. The prevalence of ever-use of e-cigarettes was 15.3% of which 60.7% reported increased use of e-cigarettes since the COVID-19 pandemic. Age, education, tribe and religion (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher odds of use of e-cigarettes.

Conclusion: This study found an increase in the quantity of e-cigarettes used and online purchase of the same by respondents since the COVID-19 pandemic. Paying attention to the rate of use and having control measures in place for online purchase of e-cigarettes by youths in Nigeria may be necessary in the years to come.

Contribution: This study addresses a gap in the availability of knowledge of use of e-cigarettes among a growing population of youths in Nigeria.


Keywords

use of electronic cigarettes; knowledge of e-cigarettes; COVID-19; e-cigarettes; Nigeria; students.

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