NYMC Faculty Publications

Vaping and Hookah Use Among Medical Trainees: A Multinational Survey Study

Luiza Helena Degani-Costa, Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil; Department of Psychiatry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: luiza.falcao@einstein.br.
Fernando P. Bruno, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Touro University, Middletown, New York; Department of Public Health, School of Health Sciences and Practice, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA.
Fernanda Gushken, Faculdade Israelita de Ciências da Saúde Albert Einstein, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.
Claudia Szlejf, Department of Big Data, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil.
Ana B. Tokeshi, Department of Psychiatry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Yasmin F. Tehrani, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Touro University, Middletown, New York.
Daniel Kaufman, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, Touro University, Middletown, New York.
Kandipudi K. Prasad, Andhra Medical College, Vishakhapatnam, India.
Pentapati S. Kumar, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Mangalagiri, India.
Limalemla Jamir, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Guwahati, India.
Matthew G. Benesch, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Morag G. Ryan, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
Hardeep Lotay, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Jonathan P. Fuld, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom.
Thiago M. Fidalgo, Department of Psychiatry, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; National Academy of Medicine, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Author Type(s)

Faculty

Journal Title

American Journal of Preventive Medicine

First Page

940

Last Page

949

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

11-1-2023

Department

Public Health

Abstract

The increased use of E-cigarettes and hookah among young consumers represents a public health concern. This study aimed to investigate the frequency and patterns of use of E-cigarettes and hookah among medical trainees. This cross-sectional multinational online survey included medical students, residents, and fellows in Brazil, the U.S., and India between October 2020 and November 2021. Information on sociodemographics; mental health; and E-cigarettes, hookah, tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol use were collected. Generalized structural equation models were used in 2022 to explore the factors associated with current vaping and current hookah use (ongoing monthly/weekly/daily use). People reporting previous sporadic/frequent use or those who never used/only tried it once were the reference group. Overall, 7,526 participants were recruited (Brazil=3,093; U.S.=3,067; India=1,366). The frequency of current vaping was 20% (Brazil), 11% (U.S.), and <1% (India), and current hookah use was 10% (Brazil), 6% (U.S.), and 1% (India). Higher family income (OR=6.35, 95% CI=4.42, 9.12), smoking cigarettes (OR=5.88, 95% CI=4.88, 7.09) and marijuana (OR=2.8, 95% CI=2.35, 3.34), and binge drinking (OR=3.03, 95% CI=2.56, 3.59) were associated with current vaping. The same was true for hookah use: higher family income (OR=2.69, 95% CI=1.75, 4.14), smoking cigarettes (OR=3.20, 95% CI=2.53, 4.06), smoking marijuana (OR=4.17, 95% CI=3.35, 4.19), and binge drinking (OR=2.42, 95% CI=1.96, 2.99). In conclusion, E-cigarettes and hookah were frequently used by Brazilian and American trainees, sharply contrasting with data from India. Cultural aspects and public health policies may explain the differences among countries. Addressing the problems of hookah and E-cigarette smoking in this population is relevant to avoid the renormalization of smoking.

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