Determinants of electronic cigarette use among nursing students in the Fifth Congressional District of Camarines Sur / Rene SJ. Abrera.

Masters Theses (MAN) - Nursing.

Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges, 2026.

Includes bibliographic references.

The rising fame of electronic cigarettes among the youth has emerged as a significant public health issue. In this study, the prevalence and underlying determinants of e-cigarette use was investigated among 197 nursing students in the Fifth Congressional District of Camarines Sur. Utilizing a quantitative descriptive-causal design, the research employed stratified random sampling and a validated self-administered questionnaire. Data was analyzed using percentage techniques, prevalence, weighted means, and Chi-square tests. The results indicate that the majority of nursing students are non-users. The profile of the respondents consisted of single, majority female, Roman Catholic young adults aged 19-20 years old from low- to middle-income households, majority enrolled at Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges. Socially, most respondents live with parents or in boarding houses, with minimal exposure to vaping in their homes or social circles. Psychologically, the cohort demonstrates strong protective traits, including high self-esteem, low risk-taking tendencies, an absence of anxiety or depression, and a robust commitment to healthy behavior. The findings of the study revealed that while students recognize physical, social, and environmental influences, they only moderately associate e-cigarette use with mental or behavioral factors. The data confirms that e-cigarette use is primarily dictated by social environments, institutional culture, and behavioral tendencies rather than demographic backgrounds or psychological distress. Despite their medical education, usage persists among some students, highlighting a gap between health knowledge and behavior. These findings emphasize the urgent need for targeted health promotion, stricter institutional policies, and interventions designed to counter social pressures and reinforce healthy lifestyle motivations within academic settings.