Thực trạng tiếp xúc với thông tin về cảnh báo tác hại của thuốc lá điện tử ở sinh viên năm thứ nhất Trường Đại học Y Hà Nội năm 2024 và một số yếu tố liên quan

The escalating prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use, particularly among adolescents and young adults, presents a significant public health challenge globally and in Vietnam. Despite widespread marketing as a safer alternative to traditional tobacco, accumulating scientific evidence highlights the diverse harmful effects of e-cigarettes on respiratory, cardiovascular, and neurological systems, especially during developmental years. In this context, understanding the patterns of exposure to information on the harmful effects of e-cigarettes is crucial for effective public health interventions. This study aims to describe the current status of information exposure regarding e-cigarette harm warnings among first-year students at Hanoi Medical University in 2024 and to identify associated factors, providing a foundational understanding for targeted prevention strategies.

Public health researchers, educators, policymakers, and healthcare professionals focused on tobacco control, youth health education, and digital health communication strategies.

This cross-sectional descriptive study investigated the current status and associated factors of exposure to information on the harmful effects of e-cigarettes among first-year students at Hanoi Medical University in 2024. The findings reveal a remarkably high proportion, 94.3%, of students had been exposed to such information, with social media emerging as the primary channel. A key insight is that female students were significantly more likely to encounter information on e-cigarette harm through social media (OR=1.8) and websites (OR=1.9) compared to their male counterparts. Furthermore, students who had been exposed to e-cigarette smoke in the past month also showed a higher likelihood of accessing this vital warning information via social media (OR=1.7) and websites (OR=1.9) than those unexposed. These results underscore the pervasive reach of digital platforms in health communication among young adults. The study's implications are significant for public health, suggesting the need for tailored communication strategies that leverage prevalent digital channels to effectively disseminate information about the harmful effects of e-cigarettes. Understanding these dynamics is essential for developing targeted interventions to mitigate the growing health risks associated with e-cigarette use among this vulnerable population, particularly within the medical student community who will be future healthcare providers.