Factors Associated with the Perception and Attitudes Toward Electronic Cigarettes Among University Students in Pathum Thani University

Abstract

This research was a descriptive cross-sectional study aimed at examining the levels of knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and perceptions of electronic cigarettes, and the relationships between personal factors, knowledge, attitudes, behaviors, and perceptions of electronic cigarettes among university students in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. The study sample consisted of 350 students from Pathum Thani University, determined using Taro Yamane sample size formula, with a multistage random sampling method. The research instrument was a questionnaire with a reliability coefficient of 0.81. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, Pearson’s correlation coefficient, and the Chi-square test at a statistical significance level of 0.01. The findings revealed that Knowledge about the perception of electronic cigarettes was at a high level (71.70%). Attitudes toward the perception of electronic cigarettes were at a moderate level (𝑥̅ = 2.26, S.D = 0.405). The smoking behavior is at a moderate level (𝑥̅ = 2.20, S.D = 0.312). Perceptions of electronic  cigarettes were at a high level (𝑥̅ = 2.45, S.D = 0.412). Gender was significantly associated with the perception of electronic cigarettes at the 0.05 level. Attitudes (r = 0.429**) and behaviors (r = 0.208**) were significantly correlated with the perception of electronic cigarettes at the 0.01 level. Therefore Effective communication channels, such as social media, should be developed to provide accurate information about electronic cigarettes. Additionally, policies should be designed to educate youth on the risks and dangers of electronic cigarettes to promote healthy decision-making among this group.