Factors associated with electronic cigarette use among adolescents asthma in the Republic of Korea. (15th September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Han, Chang Hoon; Chung, Jae Ho
• Is Part Of: Journal of asthma. Volume 58:Number 11(2021)
• Page Start: 1451
• Page End: 1459
• Publication Date: 2021-09-15
• Subjects: Electronic cigarette -- adolescent -- asthma -- Korea; Asthma -- Periodicals; 616.238005
• DOI: 10.1080/02770903.2020.1802745
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-0903

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Despite the rapid increase in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) smoking, little is known about the factors associated with their use, particularly in adolescents with asthma. Our study investigated the prevalence of, and factors associated with asthma. Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey of 44, 479 adolescents with physician-diagnosed asthma and 445, 692 subjects without asthma. Sociodemographic factors, psychosocial factors, and e-cigarette smoking patterns were investigated by self-report questionnaires. Multiple logistic regression was used to investigate the factors associated with ever or current e-cigarette risks in adolescents with asthma, with adjustment for confounding factors. Results: Significantly more subjects had a smoking habit in the asthma group than in the non-asthma group. Among the adolescents with asthma, 4, 420 (9.9%) smoked e-cigarettes (ever-users), and 1, 962 (4.4%) smoked e-cigarettes within the last 30 days (current users). Multiple logistic regression showed that both ever and current e-cigarette use were significantly associated with male gender, higher family income, residence in an urban area, alcohol drinking, substance use experience, sexual experience, and friends' smoking. Current e-cigarette use was also significantly associated with high caffeine intake, no regular exercise, and experience of violence in adolescents with asthma. Conclusions: E-cigarette smoking behavior was significantly more frequent in adolescents with asthma than in those without asthma, and multiple psychosocial factors were associated with e-cigarette smoking. Our results could inform e-smoking control programs and help identify adolescents with asthma at high risk of e-cigarette smoking, to ultimately prevent and reduce this behavior.