E-cigarettes use among university students in Jordan: Perception and related knowledge.
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ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Al-Sawalha NA
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8719738 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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| S-EPMC10641699 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The emergence of blends of synthetic cannabinoids (SC) is an alarming public health concern in Jordan and worldwide. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and perceptions of university students of SC. A cross-sectional study employing a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 1,789 university students in Jordan. The questionnaire measured the knowledge and perceptions of students of SC. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to investigate the potential predictors of good knowledge of SC. Perceptions of students regarding SC use, prevalence and availability were investigated using principal component analysis. Self-reported familiarity with SC was high (92.5%), while good knowledge was only demonstrated by (33.6%) of students. Predictors of good knowledge included being a smoker (aOR = 1.369, 95% Cl = 11.041-1.871, p = .026), an alcohol user (aOR = 2.134, 95% CI = 1.362-3.346, p = .001), being informed by traditional media (aOR = 1.367, 95% CI = 11.113-1.679, p = .003), social media (aOR = 1.241, 95% CI = 1.161-1.403, p = .021) and self-familiarity with SC (aOR = 2.499, 95% CI = 1.518-4.114, p < .0001). Students perceived SC use to be prevalent and ethically unacceptable, for religious, social, and legal reasons. There were significant differences in the ethical perceptions against the use of SC detected by gender (p < .0001), smoking (p < .0001) or alcohol use (p = .001), and being informed by both traditional media (p-.001) and social media (p = .001), but there were no differences by the level of knowledge (p = .057). Those of good knowledge and those of low knowledge did not differ on their ethical perceptions of using SC. This study showed that there was a low level of knowledge regarding SC among university students in Jordan, which may play a role in the use of SC in the country. Herein, many opportunities exist for public health education to raise awareness against SC use.
| S-EPMC8224919 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Human microbiota have a significant impact on the health of individuals, and reciprocally, lifestyle choices of individuals have an important effect on the diversity and composition of microbiota. Studies assessing microbiota knowledge among the public are lacking, although it is hypothesized that this knowledge can motivate healthier behavior. Hence, this study aimed to measure microbiota knowledge among university students, and the effect of this knowledge on behavioral beliefs. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among students from various fields of study enrolled at the University of Jordan, using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 3 parts: demographics, general knowledge of microbiota, and behavioral beliefs related to microbiota. Four hundred and two responses were collected from verified university students. Participants were divided into two groups depending on whether they took a formal microbiology course (45 h) or not. Results from those two groups were compared using appropriate statistical methods. Results showed that most participants, even those who did not take a formal microbiology course, displayed good knowledge of what microbiota is and how they can be influenced by personal and environmental factors. Participants who took a microbiology course had significantly higher microbiota knowledge scores and were more aware of the effect of antibiotics on microbiota. Participants' behavioral beliefs regarding their antibiotic use, but not their diet and lifestyle choices, were affected by their knowledge of microbiota. The study indicates that disseminating knowledge regarding microbiota and microbiology in general, can improve behaviors related to antibiotic use.
| S-EPMC8708365 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionThe use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in adults is increasing globally, and similar trends may be observed in the young population. Our objective was to estimate the awareness and use of e-cigarettes among the students from two comprehensive universities in Shanghai, China, and to identify the factors that may influence their decision to use e-cigarettes and their possible adverse effects.MethodsAn online cross-sectional survey was conducted among the students of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Fudan University. A total of 869 students (412 males and 457 females), mean age 21.09 years (SD=2.44), were recruited in 2018. Multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were performed to explore the associations between ever e-cigarette use and influencing factors.ResultsOf the responding students, 88.4% were aware of e-cigarettes, 4.6% had used e-cigarettes at least once in their lifetime, and 1.7% were current e-cigarettes users. Males and smokers were more likely to use e-cigarettes (ever used e-cigarettes even once) than females (OR=3.51; 95% CI: 1.69-7.27; p=0.001) and non-smokers (OR=28.58; 95% CI: 14.03-58.20; p<0.001). University students were easily motivated to use e-cigarettes when their peers also used them, and the risk ratio was 4.15 (95% CI: 2.11-8.19) compared with if their peers never used e-cigarettes. The major factors found to motivate university students to use e-cigarettes were the belief that e-cigarettes were less harmful or not harmful (55.0%) and the perception that e-cigarettes were helpful to quit smoking (37.5%). The survey also indicated that 72.4% of the respondents heard about e-cigarettes from television advertisements, 42.7% from websites online, and 41.2% from their parents and friends.ConclusionsUniversity students who were males, cigarette smokers and whose peers used e-cigarettes were more likely to use e-cigarettes. The use of traditional cigarettes should be controlled strictly in order to reduce the likelihood of e-cigarette use among university students.
| S-EPMC7516251 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveTo examine risk factors associated with use of e-cigarettes only, conventional cigarettes only, and dual use in Korean adolescents and young adults.MethodsIn a cross-sectional study, anonymous questionnaires were completed between April-May, 2015 among 1) 2744 middle and high school students, aged 13-18, from Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi, and Cheongju, Korea and 2) 2167 university students, aged 19-29, from fourteen universities in Korea.ResultsThe results show that 12.6% of adolescents and 21.2% of university students reported having ever tried e-cigarettes at least once. Among the ever e-cigarette users, 95.1% and 96.3% of adolescents and university students also tried conventional cigarettes, respectively. Dual users were more likely to be male (adolescents: OR 2.63, 95% CI 1.93-3.57; university students: 4.28, 3.21-5.70), have any close friends who smoke (adolescents: 11.56, 7.63-17.53; university students: 11.29, 5.52-23.10), have any siblings who smoke (adolescents: 3.17, 2.25-4.46; university students: 1.78, 1.30-2.43), and have observed teachers smoke cigarettes at school (adolescents: 1.45, 1.05-2.01).ConclusionsA majority of e-cigarette users were dual users. Friends' and siblings' smoking status were significantly associated with dual product use in adolescent and young adult populations. Surveillance of e-cigarette use and implementation of evidence-based behavioral interventions targeting adolescents and young adults are necessary.
| S-EPMC5648538 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has rapidly spread worldwide, and it was officially declared to be a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020. Most countries over the entire globe have reported some COVID-19 cases. The current study aimed to assess student knowledge about COVID-19 at different Jordanian universities and determine where they sourced their information. Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted among 2,083 undergraduate or postgraduate students from different governmental and private universities during the initial stage of the disease in Jordan (March 19-21, 2020) using a validated, structured, self-administered, online questionnaire. The survey was structured to assess their knowledge about viral sources, incubation period, mortality rate, transmission, symptoms and complications as well as the source of information about COVID-19. Results:Overall, 56.5% of the respondents showed good knowledge and almost 40.5% showed moderate knowledge. On the other hand, 3.0% of the participants showed poor knowledge about COVID-19. The average knowledge score of students was 80.1%, which is considered to be within the scale of good knowledge. Both the college of study and educational level significantly (P < 0.05) associated with student knowledge. Students who majored in medical sciences showed the highest mean score of 82.8%, with 69.0% displaying a good knowledge level. Postgraduate students had significantly higher knowledge scores compared to undergraduate students. The majority of students used the internet, social media and mass media as sources of information about COVID-19. Scientific websites and articles were used more commonly by medical and postgraduate students. Conclusions:The COVID-19 pandemic is a major challenge to the health of the world population; therefore, these results assessing students' knowledge provide an important baseline for planning required educational interventions such as contact tracing and self-quarantine. These results may also help public health authorities by engaging communities in implementation of protective health measures, including positive hygienic practices such as hand washing to reduce the risk of COVID-19.
| S-EPMC7274134 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveTo explore the level of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) knowledge among allied health professions (AHPs) students and its associated factors.MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study assessing CPR knowledge among AHP students. A multidisciplinary expert panel designed a survey, which then was piloted to 20 potential participants. The survey had two sections, including demographics and knowledge questions. Knowledge questions scores ranged from 0 to 10, where 10 indicates all questions were answered correctly.ResultsA total of 883 students completed the surveys and were included in the study. The mean age was 21 years (±1.6) and the majority were females (73.1%). A total of 693 (78.5%) students did not receive previous CPR training and the top barriers to receiving CPR training were unawareness of training opportunities and a lack of time. Participants had a mean CPR knowledge score of 3.9 (±1.7) out of 10 maximum potential points. Trained participants had a higher mean score compared with the untrained (4.6 (±1.6) vs 3.8 (±1.6), p<0.001). Previous training (adjusted ?=0.6; 95%?CI 0.2 to 0.9; p<0.001) and being in the physical therapy programme (adjusted ?=0.5; 95%?CI 0.1 to 0.8; p=0.01) were associated with higher knowledge.ConclusionThere is poor knowledge of CPR among AHP students including trained individuals. Efforts to increase the awareness of CPR should target students and professionals who are highly likely to encounter patients requiring CPR. Compulsory training courses, shorter training periods as well as recurrent and regular refreshing courses and use of various media devices are recommended.
| S-EPMC6887078 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundBiobanks are considered primary means+ of supporting contemporary research, in order to deliver personalized and precise diagnostics with public acceptance and participation as a cornerstone for their success.AimsThis study aims to assess knowledge, perception, and attitudes towards biomedical research and biobanking among students at the University of Jordan.MethodologyAn online questionnaire was designed, developed, and piloted. It was divided into 5 sections that included questions related to issues of biomedical research and biobanking as well as factors influencing the decision to participate.ResultsResponses from 435 students revealed that 52.9% previously heard of biobanks. There was an overwhelming acceptance for participation in biomedical, genetic, and biobanking research. A blood sample was the most preferred for donation. Protection of privacy, informed consent prior to donation, approval of an ethics committee, and trust towards researchers were the most important factors associated with willingness to participate. On the other hand, the vagueness of the type of research performed on the biospecimens and the unavailability of general research results to the donor had a negative connotation. There was no clear agreement on the type of informed consent preferred by students, but to be contacted and informed of research results was preferred by the majority. Students also preferred the disposal of biospecimens and information when deciding to withdraw from participation.ConclusionThere is strong enthusiasm among students to participate in biomedical research and biobanking with all rights reserved thus providing hope for a very promising future in Jordan.
| S-EPMC8590123 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionEpilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by repetitive seizures which could occur in different forms depending on the site of brain disturbance. It has both psychological as well as social effects resulting in stigmatization and isolation of epileptic patients. Even though medical students are considered a role model of well-educated communities, previous studies showed that students lack the satisfactory knowledge and attitudes toward epilepsy, so it is important to evaluate the concept of epilepsy and to measure awareness and attitudes toward epileptic patients among medical students of King Abdulaziz University. The aim of this study is to determine knowledge, perception and attitudes toward epilepsy among medical students at King Abdulaziz University.MethodsAn observational cross-sectional study was conducted on 455 medical students from Faculty of medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (Western region) through a web-based survey in July 2018. The survey is composed of many sections (demographic variables, knowledge, attitudes and practices toward epilepsy). The survey was applied as a Google form and the data were analyzed by IBM-SPSS for Windows, version 21.0. The chi-square test of independence was used for data analysis.ResultsFour hundred thirty-six out of 455 students (98.5%) were aware about epilepsy. However, the level of knowledge varies depending on the educational level of these students, because 88.5% of the students responded that brain injury is the most common cause and 57.3% said it is a genetic disease, while 3.7% stated that it was due to evil spirit. As a treatment method, medication and God's help were chosen by 95.8% and 57.8%, respectively. Objection to marry an epileptic patient was the most common negative attitude toward epileptics among the participants. Nonetheless, the overall attitude was found to be positive.ConclusionKing Abdulaziz University medical students have had some misunderstandings regarding causes, manifestations and treatment of epilepsy which could affect their attitudes toward epileptic individuals. Educational programs which include more clinical exposure to such common diseases are required to improve students' impressions of these diseases.
| S-EPMC7871284 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe present study aimed to address the suspected deficiency in the level of understanding of HIV/AIDS among clinical and pre clinical dental students at the University of Jordan. In this cross-sectional study, structured questionnaires were distributed to fifth year dental students (n = 121) and to third year dental students (n = 144) in the academic year 2008/2009.FindingsSignificantly higher percentage of fifth-year students compared to third-year students felt that the teaching they received on cross-infection precautions and barrier dentistry was adequate (P < 0.001). Majority (84.2%) of fifth-year students were aware that individual carrying anti-HIV antibodies to be an HIV carrier, only 57.7% of third-year students were aware of this fact (P < 0.001). Majority recognized the association between Kaposi sarcoma, oral candidiasis and hairy leukoplakia with HIV/AIDS but knowledge of the association between HIV/AIDS with less frequent lesions was inadequate.Significantly higher proportion of third-year students compared to fifth-year (39.2% vs. 26.3%) thought that HIV patients should be referred to other centers or support groups for treatment (P = 0.04).ConclusionsThe level of knowledge of Jordanian dental students about HIV and AIDS was generally acceptable; there were inadequacies, however, in their understanding regarding some aspects of AIDS epidemic which demands that dental school curriculum needs some improvement.
| S-EPMC3127964 | biostudies-literature