The attitude towards E-cigarettes, disengagement belief, E-cigarette health literacy and susceptibility among youths and adolescents

Health literacy and adolescents' substance use behaviors and correlates: a scoping review

From 2011 to 2023, substance use increased by 23% worldwide. Given that substance use initiation is highest during adolescence, it is crucial to identify amenable correlates of substance use prevention [e.g. health literacy (HL)], which, if embedded in interventions, may improve uptake and outcomes. Hence, this study conducted a scoping review to answer the question: What is known from the existing literature about the relationship between HL and substance use correlates and behaviors in adolescents? Five electronic databases and the bibliography of review articles were searched and a total of 1770 records were identified. After removing duplicates and engaging in three levels of screening to identify studies that included adolescents ≤ 25 years old and assessed the relationship between general HL (vs. behavior/disease-specific health knowledge) and substance use behaviors and correlates, 16 studies were retained. Studies assessed alcohol-related (n = 11), tobacco-related (n = 12), electronic vapor product use-related (n = 4), cannabis-related (n = 1), and amphetamines/methamphetamines-related (n = 1) outcomes. Studies spanned Africa, Asia, Europe, and North and Central America. Most studies included substance use as an outcome and found an inverse relationship between HL and use. Few studies examined substance use correlates (e.g. risk perception). There were no longitudinal or intervention studies. This review highlighted that the topic of adolescent HL and its relationship with substance use remains inadequately researched. Notable gaps for future studies include intervention and longitudinal designs, expansion of outcomes (e.g. more studies on marijuana, prescription drug misuse, vaping, substance use-related correlates), and examining HL as a mediator or moderator of substance use and its correlates.

E-cigarette-related beliefs, behaviors, and policy support among young people in China

INTRODUCTION

China has recently introduced a range of e-cigarette control policies with a focus on addressing an increase in youth vaping. This study aimed to investigate a wide range of e-cigarette-related attitudes and behaviors in a national sample of Chinese adolescents and young adults to obtain insights into their exposure to, experiences with, and attitudes to e-cigarettes on the cusp of new regulations coming into force.

METHODS

An online survey was administered to a sample of 1062 adolescents and young adults (aged 15-30 years) in China in November-December 2021. Quotas were applied to achieve an approximately equal gender split, representation across age sub-groups (15-17, 18-20, 21-23, 24-26, and 27-30 years), and approximately two-thirds representing low- and middle-income groups. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) were also calculated.

RESULTS

Just under half (47%) reported no knowledge of e-cigarettes and/or vaping. One in five reported ever using e-cigarettes ('even once or twice'), 8% reported being current users, and 3% reported being daily users. Around twothirds of those who had heard of e-cigarettes/vaping had friends who vaped and had seen e-cigarette advertising. Fruit flavors were most popular, and the most frequently nominated reasons for vaping were to cut down on cigarette smoking and because a friend used them. The factors positively associated with ever use of e-cigarettes were current tobacco smoking (AOR=68.26) or previous tobacco smoking (AOR=39.15) and having friends who vape (AOR=1.76). Perceptions of addictiveness were negatively associated with ever use (AOR=0.47). Strong support was evident for most assessed e-cigarette control policies.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate that young people in China have been able to access and use e-cigarettes, although rates of regular use are low. Generally, high levels of expressed support for a range of e-cigarette control policies among members of this age group suggest the new regulatory environment is consistent with their policy preferences.

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

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.

Socioeconomic disadvantages and vulnerability to the pandemic among children and youth: A macro-level investigation of American counties

This study intends to reveal the underlying structural inequity in vulnerability to infection of the novel coronavirus disease pandemic among children and youth. Using multi-source data from New York Times novel coronavirus disease tracking project and County Health Rankings & Roadmap Program, this study shows that children and youth in socioeconomically disadvantaged status are faced with disproportionate risk of infection in this pandemic. On the county level, socioeconomic disadvantages (i.e., single parent family, low birthweight, severe housing problems) contribute to the confirmed cases and death cases of the novel coronavirus disease. Policymakers should pay more attention to this vulnerable group to implement more targeted and effective epidemic prevention and control.

Global Population Aging, National Development Level, and Vulnerability to the Pandemic

PURPOSE

This study examined the roles of population aging and national development level in affecting different phases of novel coronavirus disease development with a view to advancing preparedness and corresponding policy.

METHODS

Regression analysis was conducted using multisource data from the World Bank and Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Dashboard.

RESULTS

Population aging is positively associated with confirmed cases of day-10, day-20, and day-30. The positive association between population aging and death does not emerge until day-20. Countries with a higher proportion of older males face higher risks of death.. Countries with a higher proportion of males aged 70-74 years are at the highest risk of confirmed cases. National development level is not associated with confirmed cases, but developing countries face significantly higher risks of death of day-10 and day-20.

CONCLUSION

Prevention and control policies for older adults and underdeveloped areas and sex differences need to be studied.