Prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease among university students who smoke electronic cigarettes in Jazan, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT Background: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a common gastrointestinal disorder marked by the backflow of stomach contents into the esophagus, resulting in symptoms such as heartburn and regurgitation. Aims: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of GERD among university students in the Jazan region and examine its association with smoking patterns and key demographic characteristics. Settings and Design: A cross-sectional study was conducted among university students in the Jazan region. The study participants are chosen using stratified random sampling. Subjects and Methods: A structured questionnaire was distributed to collect data on demographic characteristics, smoking habits (including both traditional and electronic cigarettes), and GERD symptoms. The presence of GERD was assessed using the Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Questionnaire. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-square tests, and logistic regression to identify associations between smoking, demographic factors, and GERD prevalence. We used SPSS version 25 for the data entry and analysis. Results: The study included 415 participants, predominantly male (63.4%) and aged 21–23 years (38.4%). The prevalence of GERD among the participants was 35.5%. Smoking prevalence was found to be 12.3% for traditional cigarettes and 11.3% for electronic cigarettes. A significant association was found between smoking and GERD, with smokers showing a higher prevalence of GERD symptoms (79.2%, 95% CI = 66.2–88.8) compared to non-smokers (29.4%, 95% CI = 24.8–34.4), P ≤ 0.001. Similarly, electronic cigarette users had a higher prevalence of GERD (56.8%, 95%CI = 42.1–70.6) compared to non-users (32.1%, 95% CI = 27.1–37.5), P = 0.006. No significant associations were found between GERD and other demographic factors such as age, gender, marital status, or body mass index ( P > 0.05 for all). Conclusion: This study highlights a high prevalence of GERD among university students in the Jazan region, particularly among those who smoke traditional or electronic cigarettes. The findings underscore the need for targeted public health interventions aimed at reducing smoking rates and addressing GERD symptoms in this population. Adopting a healthy lifestyle, managing stress effectively, and raising awareness are strongly recommended.