Geographic Differences in JUUL Use and Risk Perceptions. (10th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Singer, Jill M.; Keller-Hamilton, Brittney; Roberts, Megan E.; Klein, Elizabeth G.; Ferketich, Amy K.
• Is Part Of: Substance use & misuse. Volume 57:Number 13(2022)
• Page Start: 1918
• Page End: 1922
• Publication Date: 2022-11-10
• Subjects: Adolescents -- e-cigarettes -- prevalence -- risk perception -- Appalachia; Narcotic habit -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Substance abuse -- Periodicals; Behavior, Addictive -- Periodicals; Sustance-Related Disorders -- Periodicals; 362.2905
• DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2022.2120360
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1082-6084

Abstract

Abstract: Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare prevalence of JUUL use and JUUL risk perceptions between adolescents living in an urban area versus Appalachian areas of the U.S. Methods: Data were drawn from a prospective cohort study of adolescent males (the Buckeye Teen Health Study, or BTHS); our cross-sectional analysis used data from one timepoint, collected between January and December 2019 (N = 873). Chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression compared JUUL use prevalence and risk perceptions between participants in an urban Ohio county and nine predominantly rural Appalachian Ohio counties. Results: Over a quarter of the sample (29.2%) had ever used JUUL. In the unadjusted model, prevalence of JUUL use was similar between regions but Appalachian participants perceived JUUL as more harmful (p < .001) and more addictive (p = .04) than urban participants. In the adjusted model, region was not significantly related to current JUUL use (OR: 1.20, 95% CI: 0.77, 1.87) or ever JUUL use (OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 0.83, 1.60). Conclusions: JUUL use was similar between urban and Appalachian participants despite regional differences in risk perceptions. Interventions that only target risk perceptions may not be sufficient to prevent adolescent e-cigarette use, particularly in rural communities.