Awareness regarding E-cigarettes among public health dentists in dental colleges of Bengaluru: A population study

• Main Authors: Aarya N Bharadwaj, B Vijayalakshmi, Rekha Raju, Radha Gubbihal, Pallavi Swami Kousalya
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2020-01-01
• Series: Journal of Indian Association of Public Health Dentistry
• Subjects: awareness; cross-sectional study; electronic nicotine deliver systems; nicotine; public health dentistry; vaping
• Online Access: http://www.jiaphd.org/article.asp?issn=2319-5932;year=2020;volume=18;issue=4;spage=318;epage=322;aulast=Bharadwaj

Background: Available in the market as replacements to conventional cigarettes, the evidence regarding the efficacy of electronic cigarettes (E-cigarettes) in smoking cessation is unclear, while potentially harmful health effects have been reported. Public health dentists in dental colleges are likely to encounter E-cigarette users as they are involved in tobacco cessation counseling. Aim: The aim was to assess the knowledge and awareness about E-cigarettes among dental public health faculty and postgraduate students in dental colleges of Bengaluru. Materials and Methods: Dental public health faculty members and postgraduate students in all dental colleges of Bengaluru participated in this population-based, cross-sectional, questionnaire study. Questionnaires were handed out after written consent was obtained. Questions included the participants' details and ten knowledge questions with sub-questions on E-cigarettes. Data analysis was done by computing descriptive statistics and Chi-square test to determine its associated factors using SPSS v. 22. Level of significance was kept at 5%. Results: A total of 129 public health dentists were a part of the study, with 60.5% being postgraduate students and the rest comprising faculty members. One hundred and seven participants had previously heard of E-cigarettes. The mean knowledge score of the whole study population was 5.813 (standard deviation –1.83) out of a maximum score of 14 and was considered fair. This was statistically significantly associated with participants' smoking status (P = 0.05). Conclusions: This study concluded that most participants were aware of E-Cigarettes. Their knowledge level ranged from poor to fair and was significantly associated with their smoking status.