American Journal of Advances in Nursing Research

FACTORS AFFECTING THE USE OF ELECTRONIC CIGARETTE AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN KOREA

HyeonSuk Kim

wisdomk@gmail.com

Adolescent, Electronic cigarette, Smoking.

The use of e-cigarettes among adolescents has been increasing gradually in Korea. An electronic cigarette (e-cigarette), also called an electronic delivery system (ENDS) is a battery-powered device which is similar to a cigarette and delivers vaporized nicotine. This study investigated the prevalence of e-cigarette use and basic characteristics of adolescents using e-cigarettes in the local community in Korea. This study is a cross-sectional study conducted from July 1st 2011 to July 15th 2011 in the Korean local community. Questions were asked about demographic characteristics, the satisfaction with school life and perceived academic performance. The chi-square test with Fisher‟s exact test to examine categorical variables and multivariate logistic regression were performed to estimate the odds ratios and 95% confidence interval for e-cigarette use. All data were analyzed using SPSS version 19.0.A total of 1872 students participated in this study. Of them, 6.3% previously experienced e-cigarettes and 17.3% reported having experienced smoking cigarettes more than once in their life. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, female students had less frequent use of e-cigarettes (OR 0.39 95% CI 0.21-0.70); the experience of smoking was strongly associated with e-cigarette use (OR 31.64 95% CI 17.52-57.14). The prevalence of e-cigarette experience had been markedly increased in Korea. Male students with smoking experience tend to have more experience of e-cigarette use than female students without smoking experience. Despite this rapid growth of e-cigarette use, studies and regulations of e-cigarettes are not sufficient. Proper assessment is important and further research will be necessary.