Self-efficacy and Vaping Behavior among Female Health Students: An Assessment of Health Belief Components

Electronic cigarette use (vaping) is an emerging public health concern among young adults. This study examined the prevalence of vaping and its associations with self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility, and perceived severity among female health sciences students.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 425 female health sciences students at a university in Riyadh using an online questionnaire.

Eighteen percent of students reported using electronic cigarettes or vaporizers at least once. The number of friends who used electronic cigarettes was significantly associated with students’ vaping behavior (p < 0.05). Among sociodemographic factors, college level (r = -0.121, p = 0.01) and parental education (mother: r = -0.129, p = 0.008; father: r = -0.129, p = 0.008) were negatively correlated with vaping. Self-efficacy was positively correlated with perceived severity (r = 0.300, p < 0.001) and perceived susceptibility (r = 0.265, p < 0.001).

Higher self-efficacy, perceived severity, and perceived susceptibility may reduce the likelihood of vaping among female health sciences students. Awareness programs incorporating self-efficacy and health belief model components are recommended to address vaping behaviors. Additionally, the positive responses of non-users to health belief components highlight the need for workshops on peer pressure and social influence to strengthen students’ ability to resist vaping.