Abstract

Background: The emergence of oral nicotine pouches (ONPs) as alternatives to traditional tobacco products has introduced a novel method of nicotine delivery. Knowledge about ONP is crucial for medical students, as they are the future healthcare providers responsible for guiding patients toward healthier choices. Additionally, awareness of ONPs allows medical students to engage in preventive healthcare measures and provide accurate information to patients, ultimately contributing to improved
public health outcomes.
Objective: This study investigated the awareness and understanding of ONPs among first-year medical students in Bangladesh.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 49 Bangladeshi first year medical students in Chittagong, during the period of April to May 2024. We collected demographic information and assessed knowledge about ONPs using a Google Form survey consisting of 10 questions. A Likert scale incorporating choices such as “True”, “False” and “Don’t know” was used for data collection. Precautions for duplication were maintained by verifying email addresses and restricting respondents to
one response each.
Result: Key findings include higher proportion of females (53.1%); majority (95.9%) respondents were within the 20-24 age range. While 42.9% had heard of ONPs, 57.1% were unaware. Additionally, 91.8% never read about ONPs in scientific journals and 69.4% had previously seen advertisements of ONPS in social media. The highest 'TRUE' response (65.3%) was to the statement describing the nature of ONPs, while the highest 'FALSE' response (36.7%) related to health risks compared to traditional tobacco products. The statement about combustibility garnered the highest 'DON'T KNOW' response (51.1%), indicating uncertainty.
Discussion: Our study compares findings on Saudi medical students' knowledge of ONPs with a prior study on e-cigarettes. While demographic characteristics likely align, awareness levels (42.9% for ONPs) may differ. Factors affecting awareness, like advertisements and education, may vary due to cultural and regulatory disparities. Comparative analysis could illuminate cross-cultural knowledge discrepancies. Health education initiatives are crucial to raising awareness about ONPs among medical students and the public. Regulatory measures are essential to protect vulnerable populations and to ensure the spread of accurate information while limiting youth-targeted advertising and health risks. Future research should explore the long-term health effects of ONP use, including potential addiction and oral health implications.