Evaluation of the prevalence and knowledge aspects of eletronic smoking devices among middle school students at Botucatu

• Grant number: 24/08140-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: August 01, 2024
• End date: July 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Suzana Erico Tanni
• Grantee: Gustavo Poltronieri Hruschka
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FMB). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Smoking is responsible for millions of deaths annually. Despite the reduction in cigarette consumption in Brazil, Electronic Smoking Devices (ESDs) are emerging as a new threat, especially among the youth. Thus, controlling the consumption of ESDs in Brazil should also be achieved through education. In this regard, there is still a lack of data in the country regarding educational programs on ESD prevention and knowledge related to ESDs. Objectives: To assess the prevalence and knowledge about the use of ESDs among middle school students in public schools in Botucatu. Methods: A cross-sectional study using convenience sampling, considering all enrolled students in the public middle school network of the Municipality of Botucatu (2478 students in five registered schools in the municipality). As the first stage of the project, middle school teachers, school principals, and student guardians will be briefed on the purpose of the educational project and the assessment instruments. In the second stage, a standardized questionnaire developed and adapted by the researchers will be provided to all students. This instrument contains questions related to usage and external factors associated with ESDs. Simultaneously, discussion groups will be encouraged and conducted among students to further educate them about ESDs, with the distribution of educational booklets created for this purpose. At the end of an academic year, the same questionnaire will be readministered to all students to evaluate changes in consumption and knowledge related to ESDs. Expected Results: This project aims to establish a continued educational program for the prevention of ESD consumption among students, allowing other schools to adopt the same prevention program.