Vaping and the use of e-cigarettes has generally been on the rise among young adults in the United States. Many factors have been associated with use of e-cigarettes in this population. The current study looks at vaping and factors to predict vaping among college students in the South-central Appalachia.
Participant’s completed an online self-administered survey which asked questions about youth risky behaviors and substance use. The dependent variable in the study was “have you every used electronic vapor products?” May independent variable questions were asked. These included things like riding in a car driven by someone drinking alcohol, texting while driving, and sexual intercourse along with methods of protection. Substance use was also assessed. Participants responded to if they had every used alcohol, tobacco products, synthetic marijuana, marijuana, sniffed glue, breathed contents of aerosol cans, and used prescription pain pills without doctor’s prescription. Demographics such as ethnicity/race and high school location were also assessed.
The final study included 145 males and 313 females with an average age of 20.93 years. 43.2% of the participants admitted they had vaped at least once in the past. Many of the dependent variables were found to be associated with vaping. Overall, the odds of vaping were found to be higher in males and odds were 3.59 times higher if students used seat belts most of the times compared to those who always used a seat belt. Those who texted/emailed while driving just 1-2 days a month had an 88% reduction in odds of vaping when they compared it to those who texted/emailed all 30 days. These findings show potential factors that may be associated with vaping in college students and could be addressed in prevention and intervention efforts.
Take Away: The current study looks at vaping and factors to predict vaping among college students in the South-central Appalachia. Participant’s completed an online self-administered survey which asked about electronic vapor product use, several dependent variable questions, and substance use. The final study included 145 males and 313 females with 43.2% of the participants admitting they had vaped at least once in the past. Overall, the odds of vaping were found to be higher in males and odds were 3.59 times higher if students used seat belts most of the times compared to those who always used a seat belt. Those who texted/emailed while driving just 1-2 days a month had an 88% reduction in odds of vaping when they compared it to those who texted/emailed while driving all 30 days. These findings show potential factors that may be associated with vaping in college students and could be addressed in prevention and intervention efforts.