Prevalence of Electronic Cigarette Use among Secondary School Adolescents in Rionegro, Antioquia: A Local Survey
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction: electronic cigarette (EC) consumption among adolescents is an increasing global public health concern. Although there is national data in Colombia regarding this, local studies that describe this practice on specific contexts are scarce.
Objective: to determine the prevalence of electronic cigarette consumption among secondary school adolescents in Rionegro, Antioquia. Method: a quantitative, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted between August 2023 and February 2024, targeting students aged 13 to 18 from public and private educational institutions. A cluster probabilistic sampling method was used along with a structured 34-item digital questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, EC use, consumption patterns, and polysubstance consumption, applying descriptive and bivariate statistics.
Results: a total of 853 students from 10 institutions were included through multistage sampling, of which the average age was 15.3 years and 54.1% were female. Overall, 42.7% reported having used ECs at least once in their lifetime, with a mean initiation age of 13.8 years. Recent use (within the past month) was reported by 13.7%; the most used device type was open system, with nicotine being the most frequently reported substance (46.5%). Additionally, 67% reported alcohol consumption, 17% conventional cigarette smoking, and 6% psychoactive substance use. EC use was significantly associated with these behaviors (p < .001).
Discussion and conclusions: a high prevalence of EC use was observed among secondary school adolescents in Rionegro: 42.7% reported lifetime use and 13.7% recent use. These figures exceed the previously reported national data and are comparable to those in countries with established EC markets, which highlights the magnitude of this phenomenon at the local level.
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References
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