A Youth-Centered Digital Infographic on Vaping Risks (What's in a Vape?): Mixed Methods Study

Area of Science:

• Public Health Communication
• Digital Health Interventions
• Adolescent Health

Background:

• Declining engagement with traditional public health warnings necessitates innovative strategies for youth.
• Interactive, youth-driven digital content like infographics shows potential for improving health knowledge and decision-making.
• Limited research exists on the effectiveness of digital infographics for communicating vaping-related harms to youth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of a co-developed, youth-informed digital infographic ('What's in a Vape?') on vaping education.
• To assess the infographic's effectiveness in enhancing youth understanding of vaping-related harms.

Main Methods:

• Convergent parallel mixed methods design assessing a youth-informed digital infographic.
• Infographic co-created with youth coresearchers and advisory councils.
• 63 high school students (aged 14-19) recruited via community partners and networks; assessed baseline knowledge, engagement, and post-exposure perceptions.

Main Results:

• 87% found the infographic effectively communicated key information; 86% gained new knowledge about vaping.
• 73% found the presentation easy and meaningful; 52% would share it, indicating strong engagement.
• Qualitative analysis revealed visual content, design, sourced information, and digital format enhanced understanding and credibility, though some found content overwhelming.

Conclusions:

• Youth-driven digital infographics are effective health communication tools, emphasizing peer-led design and visual engagement.
• Evidence-based content and interactive formats improve youth comprehension and receptiveness to health messaging.
• Future iterations should consider layered designs to address content overload, complementing public health strategies against youth vaping.