E-cigarette, cigarette, dual e-cigarette with cigarette use, and disability status among reproductive-aged women

Objective: E-cigarettes have increased steadily among reproductive-aged women, despite our limited understanding of their effect on reproductive health. This study examined the associations of e-cigarette, cigarette, and dual use with disability in reproductive-aged women. Study design: This was a cross-sectional study. Methods: Data for this study were obtained from reproductive-aged women (18-44 years; n = 24,904) from the 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations of tobacco use patterns (dependent variable, i.e. non-use, current e-cigarette use, current cigarette use, and current dual use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes) with overall disability and the type of disability (independent variables). Results: Among women who reported any disability, 70.6%, 8.7%, 11.4% and 9.3% reported non-use, e-cigarette, cigarette, and dual use, respectively. In adjusted analysis, relative to non-use, women who reported any disability had higher odds of e-cigarette (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.88; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-3.07), cigarette (aOR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.12-2.25), and dual use (aOR: 2.37; 95% CI: 1.55-3.62) compared with women without disabilities. Conclusions: This cross-sectional study found higher odds of current e-cigarette use, cigarette use, and dual use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes among women of reproductive age with >= 1 disability. Improved screening for the use of nicotine products among women of reproductive age with disabilities may be necessary to lessen the use of nicotine products in this vulnerable population. (c) 2023 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

Despite limited understanding of the effects of e-cigarettes on reproductive health, their use among reproductive-aged women is increasing. This study found that women with disabilities were more likely to use e-cigarettes, cigarettes, and dual use compared to women without disabilities. Improved screening for nicotine product use among disabled reproductive-aged women may be necessary to reduce their use in this vulnerable population.