Young Women's Perspectives About Vaping: A Cross Sectional Study from Jordan

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Women's Health

Background:

• Vaping popularity is rising among young individuals in Jordan.
• Limited data exists on women's awareness, attitudes, and practices regarding vaping.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess women's knowledge and beliefs about vaping.
• To investigate the attitudes and practices of women who vape in Jordan.

Main Methods:

• An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted.
• Data collected via self-administered surveys from January to March 2024.
• Survey instrument inspired by the WHO Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS) questionnaire.

Main Results:

• 12.4% of 923 participating women reported vaping.
• Vaping women were significantly younger and perceived vaping as safer than cigarettes.
• Vaping women believed it aids smoking cessation more than non-vaping women.
• Vaping women underestimated health risks and supported indoor vaping policies.
• Primary motivations for vaping included enjoyment, stress relief, and social factors.

Conclusions:

• Significant misconceptions and knowledge gaps regarding vaping exist among Jordanian women.
• Emotional and social factors influence women's vaping behaviors.
• There is a critical need for targeted public health education and legislative interventions to safeguard women's health.