Hubungan Tingkat Pengetahuan dan Sikap tentang Rokok Elektrik terhadap Perilaku Merokok Elektrik pada Mahasiswa Fakultas Teknik Universitas Sumatera Utara

Abstract

Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (vapes) are becoming increasingly popular among university students and are often perceived as safer than conventional cigarettes, although they still pose health risks. Objective: This study aimed to determine the association between the level of knowledge and attitudes toward electronic cigarettes and vaping behavior among students of the Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara. Methods: This was an observational analytic study with a cross-sectional design. Data was obtained from questionnaires completed by respondents. The subjects consisted of 100 students selected using non-probability consecutive sampling, and data were analyzed using the Chi- Square test. Results: The results showed that most respondents were male (56%), had a good level of knowledge (39%), did not support the use of electronic cigarettes (66%), Non e-cigarette use behavior was observed in (52.0%), while (48.0%) demonstrated e-cigarette use behavior There was a significant association between the level of knowledge and vaping behavior (p < 0.001), as well as between attitude and vaping behavior (p< 0.001). Conclusion: It can be concluded that the better the knowledge and the more negative the attitude toward electronic cigarettes, the better the students’ behavior in avoiding their use.