Prevalence of adverse respiratory symptoms among e-cigarette users at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University in...

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have become a popular alternative to traditional smoking, especially among youth. However, their impact on respiratory health is underexplored in the Saudi university context. The aim is to assess the prevalence of e-cigarette use and its association with adverse respiratory symptoms among students at Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted from August to October 2024 among 404 undergraduate students at IMSIU. A validated, bilingual questionnaire (in Arabic and English) was distributed via social media. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's Chi-square or exact tests were used to assess associations between e-cigarette use and respiratory symptoms.

Among 404 respondents, 27.2% were current e-cigarette users, and 76.5% of them had used e-cigarettes in the past five days. E-cigarette use was significantly associated with adverse respiratory symptoms. Bronchitis was reported in 41.7% of nonusers who had abstained in the past 30 days, compared to 16.3% and 12.5% among users who vaped for one to five days and six to 30 days, respectively (P = .048). Chronic cough, chest congestion, wheezing, and breathlessness were significantly more prevalent among current and former users than never users (P < .05 across multiple symptoms).

E-cigarette use is prevalent among Saudi university students and is linked to increased respiratory symptoms, including bronchitis, wheezing, and fatigue. These findings highlight the urgent need for public health strategies, educational programs, and regulatory actions to address the health risks of vaping in young populations.