Saudi Cultural Missions Theses & Dissertations
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Item Restricted Evaluating the Impact of Vaping Facts Films on Vaping Harm Perceptions Among Young Adults in the United Kingdom (UK)(King's College London, 2024-08-17) Alharbi, Mohammad Abdulhameed; East, KatherineBackground: Most people in the United Kingdom (UK) mistakenly believe that vaping is equally or more harmful than smoking, and these misperceptions are becoming more widespread. Interventions are needed to correct these beliefs, as evidence clearly shows that vaping is less harmful than smoking. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of informative films on changing the harm perceptions of vaping compared to smoking among young adults aged 18-30. Methods: This was an online between-subjects experimental study conducted on the Qualtrics survey platform. A total of 593 participants were divided between the intervention group (n=279) and the control group (n=314). A survey with an embedded experiment was used with participants randomized to one of two conditions. The experimental group was exposed to one of the eight brief videos addressing vaping perceptions. The control group was exposed to a video of a similar length (1 minute) about pancakes. Before and after exposure to the videos, all participants answered questions about their perceptions of vaping and smoking. Logistic regression models were fit for each outcome to examine whether outcomes differed between conditions. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: At baseline, 61% perceived vaping as less harmful than smoking. After exposure to a video, compared to those in the control group, participants in the intervention group had over three times the odds of perceiving vaping as less harmful than smoking (82.1% vs. 57.6%; AOR=3.69, 95% CI: 2.49-5.47, p<.001). However, there was no significant difference between conditions in perceiving that vaping is not harmful (3.2% vs. 1.6%; AOR=2.57, 95% CI: 0.78-8.52, p=.122) or the perception that vaping is addictive (0.7% vs. 1.0%; AOR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.04-6.67, p=.594). Findings were similar in unadjusted analyses. There was no significant interaction when predicting the perception that vaping is less harmful than smoking [Wald (3) =2.94, p=.401]. Conclusions: short, expert-produced informational videos effectively improved young adults' accurate perceptions of vaping and dispelled common myths. Post-intervention, participants exposed to the vaping facts videos were significantly more likely to perceive vaping as less harmful than smoking and demonstrated increased correct knowledge on various myths.7 0Item Restricted The Effects of Strontium on the Viability of Oral Carcinoma Cell Lines in the Presence of Simulated Smoking Environment(ProQuest, 2024-02-02) Alrabiah, Reem; Visser, Michelle; Dziak, Rosemary; Tapia, Jose LuisBackground: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the sixteenth most common cancer worldwide and the most common malignancy that occurs in the oral cavity. Studies revealed a strong association between OSCC and smoking. However, the specific mechanistic effects of smoking on oral epithelium and its association with OSCC is still under investigation. A previous study suggested a positive influence of strontium citrate solution on human oral gingival fibroblasts viability and migration in the conditions of simulated smoking environment. Aim: This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the effects of nicotine or cigarette smoke condensate (CSC) on the viability of a model gingival keratinocyte cell line (TIGK) as compared to oral carcinoma cell lines (SCC-25 or KB cell lines). In addition, to investigate the ability of strontium to mediate the impact of nicotine or CSC on those epithelial cell lines. Materials & Methods: Using MTT assay, the viability of SCC-25, KB and TIGK cell lines was tested after the exposure to different concentrations of nicotine or CSC (5 – 500 μg/ml). Then, cellular viability was assessed after the addition of 1 mM of strontium citrate solution combined with 250 or 50 μg/ml of nicotine or CSC to evaluate the ability of strontium to reverse the effects of those materials. Results: There was a dose-dependent reduction in SCC-25 viability with significant reduction seen with 500 μg/ml of nicotine or CSC. No significant effect of nicotine was noticed on KB cellular viability. Regarding TIGK cells, 50 μg/ml of nicotine and higher increased cellular activity while 250 μg/ml of CSC caused significant decrease in their activity. In general, the effect of CSC was stronger than nicotine. The addition of 1 mM of strontium citrate solution caused decreased viability of all three cell lines tested. This reduction in viability is consistent when cells were exposed to strontium alone or in the presence of nicotine or CSC. Conclusion: Overall, CSC has a negative effect on the viability of both normal gingival keratinocytes and OSCC cell lines. The effect of nicotine may be variable depending on the cell type. Moreover, this study suggests a negative effect of strontium on an immortalized normal gingival keratinocyte cell line and oral carcinoma cell lines. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effects of strontium on the whole periodontal tissue and additional oral cancer cell lines.20 0Item Restricted An analysis of the links between smoking behaviour, and educational attainment among individuals aged 16 and above residing in private households in England stratified by gender(Saudi Digital Library, 2023-08-30) Qusty, Jomana; Coker, BolajiBackground: Smoking’s impact on public health, especially physical well-being, is well- documented. However, its connection to educational outcomes is increasingly recognized; still, in England, this relationship requires more in-depth study. Aim: This secondary analysis of the Health Survey for England 2019 aimed to investigate the link between smoking habits and educational attainment among adults in England, considering their distribution according to gender. Method: This cross-sectional study used the HSE 2019 dataset of 8204 participants aged 16-75+, 3674 males and 4530 females. The independent variables were age, and smoking-related variables (current use of cigars/pipes, cigarette smoking status, and e-cigarette/vaping device use). The dependent variable was educational attainment, categorized as no qualification, below degree, degree or equivalent, and postgraduate. Two ordinal regression models were conducted. The first model considered gender as an independent variable, while the data for the second model was stratified by gender. Results: Most participants were aged 35-54. Although females made up 55.2% of the cohort, gender did not significantly affect educational qualifications (Chi-square, p-value=0.549). Chi-square tests showed significant relationships between educational qualifications and cigar/pipe smoking (p < 0.001), cigarette smoking (p < 0.001), and e-cigarette/vaping habits (p < 0.001). Those with a degree or equivalent, or postgraduate education started smoking later (18.4 years) than those with no qualification (16.98 years), or below degree (16.8 years) and the difference is statistically significant (p < 0.001). Ordinal regression showed that younger age groups have significantly higher odds of progressing in educational attainment when compared to the 75+ age group, with all age groups being statistically significant (p < 0.001). Notably, individuals who have never smoked cigarettes exhibit a statistically significant 3.683 times higher odds of advancing in education compared to current cigarettes smoking. Those who have never smoked cigars/pipes have lower odds of achieving a higher education than current smokers (OR: 0.556, 95% CI: 0.38 to 0.82). Additionally, past e-cigarettes smokers show a statistically significant lower education odds (OR: 0.848, 95% CI: 0.73 to 0.98). Upon stratifying the data by gender, the regression model showed that all age groups have higher education odds than the 75+ group, with females surpassing males. Males who have never smoked cigars/pipes have decreased educational odds than current smokers (OR:0.499, 95% CI: 0.33 to 0.77). Non-cigarette and past smokers of both genders have significantly higher educational odds than current smokers (p< 0.001). Females who have tried e- cigarettes or vaping devices in the past have decreased odds of educational attainment than those who have never tried them (OR: 0.792, 95% CI: 0.64 to 0.97). Conclusion: This study shows an association between education and smoking while adjusting for gender and age. Younger generations prefer e-cigarettes. Anti-smoking campaigns, early education, gender-specific interventions, youth-focused e-cigarette regulation, and collaborative efforts for holistic strategies are essential to address these patterns effectively. Further research should include socio-economic, cultural, and peer-related factors for a more nuanced understanding.15 0Item Restricted Evaluation of Smoking Prevalence, Secondhand Smoke Exposure, and Perceptions of Smoking Cessation among Respiratory Therapy Students in Saudi Arabia(2023-07-14) Alharbi, Abdulrahman; Gardenhire, DouglasBackground: Tobacco use is a global health concern that results in millions of deaths annually. This study focuses on Saudi Arabian respiratory therapy students in the Western region to assess smoking prevalence, secondhand smoke exposure, smoking cessation education, and perceptions of smoking cessation. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the smoking prevalence among Saudi respiratory therapy students in the Western region, their exposure to secondhand smoke, smoking cessation education, and their perceptions of the positive effects of quitting smoking. Methods: Using a descriptive exploratory methodology, this study collected data on smoking prevalence, secondhand smoke exposure, and attempts to quit smoking among students. The Global Health Professional Students Survey (GHPSS) was employed as the survey instrument. Results: The results indicate that the prevalence of cigarette smoking among male respiratory therapy students was 52%, while it was lower among females at 3.7%. The study also revealed high rates of exposure to secondhand smoke in public settings (52%), whereas exposure at home was relatively low (28%). This emphasizes the importance of enforcing smoking bans in public spaces to safeguard individuals from the effects of secondhand smoke. Conclusion: This study sheds light on the smoking prevalence, secondhand smoke exposure, smoking cessation education, and perceptions of smoking cessation among Saudi Arabian respiratory therapy students in the Western region. The findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to address smoking behaviors among students. Additionally, the study reveals the importance of creating smoke-free environments, as the rates of exposure to secondhand smoke in public settings were alarmingly high.15 0Item Restricted Tobacco Smoking Among Saudi College Students: Validation Of An Arabic Health Belief Model Instrument(2023) Alotaibi, Saad Abdullah S; Durgampudi, Praveen; Al-Taiar, Abdullah; Abdous, M’HammedThis dissertation intended to learn more about Saudi college students' behavior in relation to the use of tobacco smoking. Multiple interrelated projects have been carried out in order to achieve this ambitious goal. The goal of the first study was to evaluate the scope of the existing smoking issue as indicated by research, by systematically estimating the prevalence of tobacco use among higher education students in Saudi Arabia. The second study aimed to systematically analyze and integrate the existing information on the determinants of smoking among Saudi college students. The last project aimed to develop a psychometric instrument to evaluate Saudi students' beliefs about cigarette smoking based on a theoretical model. The meta-analysis (Project 1) estimated that the 17% of Saudi students were current smokers. In order to obtain a reliable prevalence rate over time, the study suggested implementing a nationwide surveillance system that measures and monitors Saudi students’ smoking behaviors. The second systematic review (Project 2) determined that individual level factors were the most studied. Another finding was the limited usage of theoretical frameworks. The study advocated for the use of rigorous research methodologies and for the use of multi-level frameworks. The final project (3) was intended to generate and to validate a psychometric property to evaluate students’ beliefs about cigarette smoking, using an individual level framework. The Arabic Health Belief Model questionnaire demonstrated its sound validity and reliability. Future research is encouraged, in order to expand knowledge about smoking behaviors among college students in Saudi Arabia.24 0