Prevalence, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions About E-Cigarette Smoking Among Students in the Dental Fields in Jordan.

Abstract

Introduction: Tobacco use is common in Jordan, with electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) becoming more prevalent, especially among the youth. Despite this trend, very few studies have been conducted on e-cigarette use among dental students, who should be more informed about the consequences of e-cigarette use on oral health. This study aimed at assessing the prevalence, knowledge, attitude, and perception of e-cigarette smoking among Jordanian dental students with respect to its effects on oral health. Methods: The study utilized a cross-sectional survey method and used a convenient sampling approach. The study included 645 students from Dentistry Schools in Jordan. Results: The most popular smoking type among participants was waterpipe. A total of 16% of students reported smoking e-cigarettes. The majority of e-cigarette users reported initiation of smoking at 17-18 years of age. Most users thought that e-cigarettes are less harmful compared to regular cigarettes, while 87% of them acknowledged the addictive nature of the product. Students demonstrated good awareness of the deleterious effects of e-cigarettes on oral health, and two-thirds of them expressed concern about its effects on general health. Conclusions: The prevalence of e-cigarette smoking among dental students in Jordan is high and necessitates health education programs to increase awareness of the associated health risks among young adults, specifically in educational settings.