Philippine Journal of Science
151 (1): 411-423, February 2022
ISSN 0031 – 7683
Date Received: 13 Sep 2021

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Smoking
and Vaping among Nursing Students
in a Private University in Manila, Philippines

Joseph Emmanuel P. Resano1, Maria Nicola d.A. Guce2, Zamantha Z. Manicio3,
Shanieal Marianne A. Serrano4, Sophia Paula A. Sicat5, Psalm Julianne M. Moreno5,
Aedre Gabrielle D. Semaña6, Ynnah Bianca S. Banzon5, Cassandra Louise C. Domingo-Gonzaga7,
Carolyn L. Nanca-Atayde7, Zypher Jude G. Regencia8,9, and Emmanuel S. Baja8,9*

1College of Nursing, University of The Philippines Manila
623 Pedro Gil St., City of Manila 1000 Philippines
2College of Science, De La Salle University Manila
2401 Taft Ave., Malate, City of Manila 1004 Philippines
3Department of Physical Therapy, College of Rehabilitation Sciences
University of Santo Tomas, Sampaloc, City of Manila 1008 Philippines
4College of Allied Health Professions
University of The East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center
64 Aurora Blvd., Quezon City 1113 Metro Manila, Philippines
5Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Santo Tomas
Sampaloc, City of Manila 1008 Philippines
6College of Arts and Social Sciences, Mindanao State University–
Iligan Institute of Technology, Andres Bonifacio Ave.
Tibanga 9200 Iligan City, Philippines
7Senior High School, University of Santo Tomas
Sampaloc, City of Manila 1008 Philippines
8Department of Clinical Epidemiology, College of Medicine
University of the Philippines Manila, 547 Pedro Gil St.
City of Manila 1000 Philippines
9Institute of Clinical Epidemiology, National Institutes of Health
University of the Philippines Manila, 623 Pedro Gil St.
City of Manila 1000 Philippines

*Corresponding author: esbaja@up.edu.ph

 

[Download]
Resano JE et al. 2022. Prevalence and Risk Factors of Smoking and Vaping among Nursing Students in a
Private University in Manila, Philippines. Philipp J Sci 151(1): 411–423. https://doi.org/10.56899/151.01.31

 

ABSTRACT

Nursing students trained to be health advocates have engaged in cigarette and electronic cigarette (EC) use. Our study aimed to determine the prevalence of cigarette and EC use among nursing students and examine how EC vaping and cigarette smoking are associated with various risk factors. This cross-sectional survey of smoking and vaping was administered to 249 nursing students in a private university in Manila, Philippines. An online-based selfassessment questionnaire (SAQ) that includes socio-demographic information, cigarette and EC usage, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and other risk factors was administered using on-campus and online recruitment strategies. Generalized linear models were fitted to estimate the effect of stress and other risk factors on smoking and vaping. Approximately one out of eight were exclusive vapers, one out of 25 were exclusive smokers, and one out of five were both smokers and vapers. The prevalence of smoking/vaping was 47% higher [adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 1.47, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 1.04–2.07, p-value = 0.028] among students with high-stress levels than students with low to moderate stress levels. In addition, students who were sophomores (aPR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.12–2.53, p-value = 0.012), juniors (aPR: 3.22, 95% CI: 1.91–5.42, p-value < 0.001), and seniors (aPR: 1.53, 95% CI: 0.76–3.08, p-value = 0.230) had a higher prevalence of smoking/vaping compared to freshmen students. Having a positive attitude towards vaping health impacts and a smoker/vaper peer was also associated with a higher prevalence of smoking/vaping. Therefore, effective health communication strategies and policies in universities and the community are recommended to reinforce existing smoking and vaping control efforts.