Exploratory Factor Analysis of Knowledge and Understanding about Electronic Cigarettes among Public Health Volunteers in Bangkok

Abstract

This study explored the exploratory factor of knowledge and understanding regarding electronic cigarettes among public health volunteers in Bangkok. A survey research design was used for the study. The sample size was determined to be approximately 20 times the value of the 38 parameters. Subjects included the 760 Bangkok public health volunteers using the multi-stage sampling. The research instrument was a questionnaire developed from content scope, divided into two parts: general information about Bangkok public health volunteers and knowledge and understanding about electronic cigarettes, using the 5-point Likert scale (0-4) with a reliability coefficient of 0.86. Exploratory factor analysis was used to analyze data. The results found that there were 5 components with 38 indicators of knowledge and understanding about electronic cigarettes of Bangkok public health volunteers, namely: 1) Types and characteristics of e-cigarettes consisting of 8 indicators were able to explain 19.93 percent of the variance. 2) General facts about e-cigarettes consist of 8 indicators, which can explain 18.42 percent of the variance. 3) Health effects of e-cigarette use consisted of 8 indicators that can explain 18.28 percent of the variance. 4) Serious effects and diseases caused by e-cigarettes included 8 indicators that were able to explain 16.56 percent of the variance, and (5) laws and penalties regarding e-cigarettes consisting of 6 indicators that can explain 13.75 percent of the variance. All 5 components were able to explain a total of 86.91 percent of the variance.