Alemu S Melka1, Catherine L Chojenta2, Elizabeth G Holliday3, Deborah J Loxton2. 1. Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia. Electronic address: alemusufa.melka@uon.edu.au. 2. Research Centre for Generational Health and Ageing, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia. 3. School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: E-cigarette use is controversial worldwide. The majority of previous studies on e-cigarette use were not gender specific. This study aimed to identify the predictors of e-cigarette use among young Australian women. METHODS: This study used cross-sectional data from the 1989-1995 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. In 2015, study participants (N=8,915) aged 19-26 years completed an online survey. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of e-cigarette use. Data were analyzed in 2018. RESULTS: The prevalence of ever and past-year e-cigarette use among young Australian women was 11.1% and 6.4%, respectively. More than a quarter of past-year and ever e-cigarette users were never cigarette smokers. Use of e-cigarettes in the past year was associated with younger age (AOR per year increase=0.87, 95% CI=0.82, 0.93); financial difficulty (AOR=0.68, 95% CI=0.54, 0.87); being an ex-smoker (AOR=5.05, 95% CI=3.64, 7.01) or current cigarette smoker (AOR=10.01, 95% CI=7.77, 12.89); drinking at a level of lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury (AOR=1.23, 95% CI=1.01, 1.53). Ever e-cigarette use showed similar associations and was also associated with rural residence (AOR=0.74, 95% CI=0.60, 0.91) and intimate partner violence (AOR=1.44, 95% CI=1.17, 1.76). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of e-cigarette use among never cigarette smokers has significant public health implications. Interventions to curb the use of e-cigarettes among young Australian women should focus on risk factors, such as early age, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and intimate partner violence.
INTRODUCTION: E-cigarette use is controversial worldwide. The majority of previous studies on e-cigarette use were not gender specific. This study aimed to identify the predictors of e-cigarette use among young Australian women. METHODS: This study used cross-sectional data from the 1989-1995 cohort of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health. In 2015, study participants (N=8,915) aged 19-26 years completed an online survey. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify predictors of e-cigarette use. Data were analyzed in 2018. RESULTS: The prevalence of ever and past-year e-cigarette use among young Australian women was 11.1% and 6.4%, respectively. More than a quarter of past-year and ever e-cigarette users were never cigarette smokers. Use of e-cigarettes in the past year was associated with younger age (AOR per year increase=0.87, 95% CI=0.82, 0.93); financial difficulty (AOR=0.68, 95% CI=0.54, 0.87); being an ex-smoker (AOR=5.05, 95% CI=3.64, 7.01) or current cigarette smoker (AOR=10.01, 95% CI=7.77, 12.89); drinking at a level of lifetime risk of harm from alcohol-related disease or injury (AOR=1.23, 95% CI=1.01, 1.53). Ever e-cigarette use showed similar associations and was also associated with rural residence (AOR=0.74, 95% CI=0.60, 0.91) and intimate partner violence (AOR=1.44, 95% CI=1.17, 1.76). CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of e-cigarette use among never cigarette smokers has significant public health implications. Interventions to curb the use of e-cigarettes among young Australian women should focus on risk factors, such as early age, cigarette smoking, alcohol use, and intimate partner violence.