Exploring the prevalence and influencing factors of e-cigarette use among nursing students at Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences in Mongolia

Abstract

Background: The increasing use of e-cigarettes among young people and students has become a significant public health concern. As nursing students play a vital role in health education and tobacco prevention, it is essential to understand the prevalence of e-cigarette use and its influencing factors within this population. Aim: This study aimed to explore the prevalence and influencing factors of e-cigarette use among nursing students at Mongolian National University of Medical Sciences. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from April to June 2025 among 557 nursing students at the MNUMS. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire that included demographic characteristics, smoking status, and knowledge and attitudes toward e-cigarettes. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 26. Results: Of the 557 participants, 448 (80.4%) were female and 109 (19.6%) were male, with a mean age of 21.0 ± 1.6 years for males and 20.9 ± 2.9 years for females. The prevalence of conventional cigarette use was 17.2%, while 13.3% reported e-cigarette use. Using multivariate regression analysis to identify factors associated with e-cigarette use, the results showed that students aged 20–25 were 2.5 times more likely to use e-cigarettes (AOR=2.49, 95% CI: 1.14–5.44, p=0.023). Students who were originally from urban areas before university enrollment were 1.8 times more likely to use e-cigarettes (AOR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.01–3.22, p=0.045). Students whose friends smoked were 2.4 times more likely to use e-cigarettes (AOR=2.44, 95% CI: 1.35–4.40, p=0.003), and those who spent more than five hours per day with friends had 3.8 times higher odds of e-cigarette use (AOR=3.84, 95% CI: 1.75–8.43, p=0.001). Students with lower levels of knowledge about e-cigarettes were twice as likely to use them (AOR=2.07, 95% CI: 1.16–3.70, p=0.014), and those with negative attitudes toward e-cigarettes were 4.4 times more likely to use them (AOR=4.43, 95% CI: 2.12–9.26, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The e-cigarette use among nursing students is relatively high. Peer influence, knowledge, and attitudes toward e-cigarettes were the major contributing factors. These findings highlight the need for targeted health education and prevention programs among nursing students to reduce e-cigarette use.