Measuring the Awareness Level of the Residents of Wilayat Sinaw in the Sultanate of Oman Regarding the Dangers of Drugs, Psychoactive Substances, and Electronic Cigarettes
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Psychoactive substance misuse and electronic cigarette use are growing public health concerns in Oman, yet community-level awareness data specific to Wilayat Sinaw in the Sultanate of Oman are lacking. This study aimed to determine the knowledge and awareness of various drugs, psychoactive substances, and electronic cigarettes among adult residents of Sinaw, and to identify various social and demographic factors associated with awareness. METHODS: A community-based, descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among Omani adults (18 years and above) in Wilayat Sinaw, North Al Sharqiyah Governorate, over six months. A target sample of 400 participants was planned from an estimated adult population of approximately 38,000. A multistage cluster sampling technique was used, and data were collected via a structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire covering sociodemographic characteristics and substance/e-cigarette awareness in multiple essential domains. RESULTS: Participants were predominantly male (256/63.5%), resided within Sinaw (329/81.6%), aged 36-45 years (173/43%), employed (255/63.3%), and held a bachelor's degree (146/35%). Awareness was highest for general health consequences (261/64.8%), followed by chronic disease risk (250/62.0%), alcohol-related harms (243/60.3%), economic impact (241/59.8%), psychological effects (233/57.8%), and electronic cigarettes (214/53.1%). Awareness of addiction potential (174/43.2%) and legal consequences (196/48.6%) was comparatively lower. Nearly one-third of respondents (125/31%) reported awareness of substance use within their community, while only 25 (6.2%) respondents reported personal use of substances, e-cigarettes, or other addictions. CONCLUSION: Overall awareness of substance and e-cigarette-related harms among Sinaw residents was generally favorable. However, there were significant gaps regarding addiction mechanisms and legal consequences. Targeted educational activities, particularly for younger, less-educated, and unemployed subgroups, are recommended to strengthen community-level prevention efforts consistent with Oman's national substance abuse strategy.
Source: Cureus
Author: Khalid M Al Sawafi
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7220438445