Title
College Health Providers and E-Cigarette Use
Files
Description
Sally Salzer and Jessica Kulak, HEW 495:
Faculty Mentor: Professor Jessica Kulak, Health and Wellness
Background: The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among college students has continued to increase in the United States. College health providers are in a leadership position with an opportunity to counsel and educate students; however, providers have expressed barriers in effectively reducing student use. Objective: Qualitative interviews assessed college health providers’ knowledge and attitudes regarding use of e-cigarettes on their campus. Methods: Data was collected from six phone interviews with college health providers in March 2020. A variety of open-ended questions were asked, such as: (1) providers position at the health center; (2) awareness and knowledge of e-cigarette use on their college campus; (3) perceived student knowledge of nicotine in e-cigarettes; (4) reasons students on campus provide for their e-cigarette use and what the college provides as alternatives; and (5) college health provider training preference and current trainings available. Results: All providers acknowledged that e-cigarette use on their campus is a health concern. During traditional health intakes, a question regarding e-cigarette use is asked, but not necessarily followed up on. All providers mentioned a lack of student awareness on the amount of nicotine in e-cigarettes. Two providers mentioned the use of motivational interviewing when counseling students, and one mentioned the use of peer educators as an option on their campus. Conclusion: Results suggest that provider knowledge and access to tangible resources on e-cigarettes would help facilitate smoother conversations with students regarding e-cigarette use. Training on motivational interviewing and implementing peer education programs may be needed to effectively support students on college campuses.
Publication Date
2020
Recommended Citation
Salzer, Sally and Kulak, Jessica, "College Health Providers and E-Cigarette Use" (2020). Health and Social Work. 22nd Annual Student Research and Creativity Conference. SUNY Buffalo State.
https://digitalcommons.buffalostate.edu/srcc-sp20-hlthsw/14
