Date Available

4-26-2023

Year of Publication

2023

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice

Committee Chair

Dr. Julianne Ossege

Clinical Mentor

Dr. Angela Grubbs

Committee Member

Dr. Elizabeth Tovar

Committee Member

Dr. Julianna Ewen

Abstract

Background: Electronic Cigarette (e-cigarette) use is now more common than traditional cigarette use in adolescents and young adults (Dinardo & Rome, 2019). There is concern that the lack of screening for use and knowledge about the health consequences of e-cigarette use is driving this growth.

Objective: The purposes of this project were to (1) assess baseline e-cigarette knowledge and screening practices from healthcare professionals, and (2) evaluate changes in knowledge after delivery of an educational intervention about e-cigarettes.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study a seven-question survey on screening practice and knowledge concerning e-cigarettes in young adults was posted on the discussion board of a national professional healthcare site for college healthcare professionals. Participants were then presented with a ten-minute educational video that discussed what defines e-cigarettes, rates of e-cigarettes use in young adults, risks to young adults who use e-cigarettes, FDA regulation of e-cigarettes, and screening tools for e-cigarettes in young adults. This was followed by a seven-question post survey to evaluate the effectiveness of the educational tool. A paired t-test was used to analyze data.

Results: Forty professionals from 14 different health professions completed the pre-test and 23 completed the post-test. Statistical significance was observed between the pre-educational and post-educational survey for the following questions. 1) Electronic Cigarettes are safer than traditional cigarettes for young adults (p = .038) and 2) Electronic Cigarettes are an effective quit tool to quit using traditional cigarettes in young adults (p = .013).

Conclusion: The educational tool was effective in changing attitudes toward electronic cigarette safety in young adults. However, the study was limited by a small sample size and specific college health provider population.

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