The development and assessment of modified Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence scale among Malaysian single electronic cigarette users

Shazia, Jamshed and Aziz, Ur Rahman and Mohamad Haniki, Nik Mohamed and Syed, Mahmood and Muhammad Ahsan, Iftikhar Baig (2019) The development and assessment of modified Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence scale among Malaysian single electronic cigarette users. In: International Conference On Pharmaceutical Research And Pharmacy Practice Cum 14th Iium-Mps Pharmacy Scientific Conference (Icprp 2019) “Drug Utilisation Research In The Era Of Big Data”, 19-20 October 2019, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Text FH03-FF-20-44685.pdf Restricted to Registered users only Download (347kB)

Abstract

Background: The Fagerstrom test for nicotine dependence (FIND) is the most widely used scale for assessing nicotine dependence on conventional tobacco cigarettes (TCGs). But the FIND does not evaluate the subject's nicotine dependence to electronic cigarette (EC). Objective. The aim of this study was to develop and assess an equivalent modified FIND scale that measures the nicotine dependency via EC. Materials and Methods: The investigator developed the equivalent modified FIND scale that scores identical to the original scale. that is, 0-10. The developed scale piloted among 15 EC single users, that is. use only EC verified by carbon monoxide (CO) level of <8 ppm. The assessment of the scale was done among 69 EC single users and observed for I year to determine their nicotine status. Results: The modified scale revealed an acceptable Cronbach a value of 0.725. Further test-retest reliability of the scale showed a satisfactory Spearman's rank correlation coefficient value of 0.730 (P> 0.05). A 1-year observation showed that of 69 single users. II single users completely stopped nicotine intake, 24 remained as EC single users, 15 shifted to dual-use, and 19 relapsed to TCG. Surprisingly, the EC users who completely stopped nicotine intake after I year had a low average nicotine dependence value of 3 that was measured by the modified FTND scale at the baseline. Conclusion: The modified FIND scale precisely identifies the physical dependence to nicotine via EC. Therefore, as per this study results the modified FIND scale can be applied in any EC-related studies to assess nicotine dependency via EC.

Actions (login required)

View Item