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Exploring General Practitioners’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards E-Cigarette Use/Vaping in Children and Adolescents: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study in Sydney

Author

Listed:
  • Rajiv Singh

    (Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada)

  • Michael Burke

    (Department of General Practice at the University of Western Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2560, Australia)

  • Susan Towns

    (Department of Adolescent Medicine Unit, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
    Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia)

  • Muhammad Aziz Rahman

    (Institute of Health and Wellbeing, Federation University Australia, Berwick, VIC 3806, Australia)

  • Renee Bittoun

    (Lifestyle Medicine, Nicotine Addiction Unit, Avondale University, Sydney, NSW 2265, Australia, Australia
    Faculty of Medicine, The University of Notre Dame, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia)

  • Smita Shah

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia)

  • Anthony Liu

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
    Department of Paediatrics, Nepean Hospital, Kingswood, NSW 2747, Australia)

  • Habib Bhurawala

    (Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
    Faculty of Medicine, The University of Notre Dame, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
    Department of Paediatrics, Nepean Hospital, Kingswood, NSW 2747, Australia)

Abstract

(1) Background: The increasing use of e-cigarettes/vaping in children and adolescents has been recognised as a global health concern. We aim to explore the Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of General Practitioners (GPs) in Sydney regarding the use of e-cigarettes in children and adolescents and identify the barriers to addressing this issue. (2) Methods: This pilot study was a cross-sectional study conducted using an electronic questionnaire with a Likert scale and free-text responses. (3) Results: Fifty-three GPs participated in the study (male = 24 and female = 29) with a mean age of 50 ± 5.5 years. There was strong agreement (mean 4.5) about respiratory adverse effects and addictive potential. However, there was less awareness of cardiac side effects and the occurrence of burns. There is a lack of conversation about e-cigarettes in GP practice and a deficit of confidence in GPs regarding managing e-cigarette use in children and adolescents. (4) Conclusions: Our pilot study has shown that GPs are somewhat knowledgeable about the potential adverse effects of the use of e-cigarettes in children and adolescents, though there is a lack of knowledge of the complete spectrum of adverse effects and more importantly, there is a paucity of a structured approach to discuss the use of e-cigarettes with children and adolescents, and there is a low level of confidence in addressing these issues. There is a need for educational interventions for GPs to increase awareness of the potential adverse effects of using e-cigarettes and build confidence in providing management to children and adolescents regarding the use of e-cigarettes.

Suggested Citation

  • Rajiv Singh & Michael Burke & Susan Towns & Muhammad Aziz Rahman & Renee Bittoun & Smita Shah & Anthony Liu & Habib Bhurawala, 2024. "Exploring General Practitioners’ Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices towards E-Cigarette Use/Vaping in Children and Adolescents: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study in Sydney," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(9), pages 1-12, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:9:p:1215-:d:1479347
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