Factors influencing e-cigarette use among college students at Baylor University.

Abstract

In 2016 the Surgeon General declared e-cigarette use among United States young adults a major public health concern. Between 17.7% to 40% of college students have tried or are currently using e-cigarettes. For this study, a survey with questions pertaining to e-cigarette use, knowledge, mental distress, academic performance, and self-efficacy was distributed among Baylor University undergraduates. Bivariate analysis and hierarchical multiple regression was used. A significant association between gender and frequency of e-cigarette use was found (χ2 = 22.94, p < .001). Additionally, significant relationships were found between knowledge (F = 9.01, p <.001), self-efficacy (F = 4.85, p < .05), depression (F = 8.31, p < .05), and GPA (F = 5.49, p < .001) and e-cigarette use. Knowledge was the greatest predictor of e-cigarette use (R2 = .029) followed by GPA (ΔR2 = .016) and gender (ΔR2 = .009). Limitations include the use of a convenience sample.