Dataset Information

Predictors of waterpipe smoking among university students in the Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Waterpipe smoking has gained global popularity among adolescents and young adults. This study aimed to identify the predictors of waterpipe smoking among university students in the Qassim region of Saudi Arabia.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a pre-tested, validated, and self-administered questionnaire to identify the predictors of waterpipe smoking among university students aged >18 years in the Qassim region.

Results

Of the 1158 questionnaires distributed, 928 were returned with complete responses. Of these 928 participants, 820 were men (88.7%) and the majority were unmarried (95.6%). The risk of waterpipe smoking was significantly higher in students aged >26 years (OR=3.39; 95% CI: 1.30- 8.80), those who had a brother who smoked (OR=1.78; 95% CI: 1.13-2.79), and those who were married (OR=3.21; 95% CI: 1.36-7.59). Furthermore, participants who had smoked cigarettes (OR=3.18; 95% CI: 1.89-5.34) or other tobacco products (OR=6.39; 95% CI: 3.69-11.07) within the past 30 days, and students who believed that waterpipe smoking was less harmful than cigarette smoking (OR=2.61; 95% CI: 1.54-4.41) had a higher risk of engaging in waterpipe smoking. However, the risk was lower among students receiving a monthly financial aid of more than US$264 (OR=0.34; 95% CI: 0.13-0.89).

Conclusions

This study revealed that higher age, being male, being married, low student financial aid, waterpipe smoker sibling, cigarette and other types of tobacco smoking in the past 30 days, and believing waterpipe smoking to be less harmful than cigarette smoking, were significant predictors of waterpipe smoking. Educational programs targeted at improving awareness of the adverse effects of waterpipe smoking should be considered for early prevention in young adults.

SUBMITTER: Almogbel YS

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8404266 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundIn recent years waterpipe smoking has become a popular practice amongst young adults in eastern Mediterranean countries, including Iran. The aim of this study was to assess waterpipe smoking perceptions and practices among first-year health sciences university students in Iran and to identify factors associated with the initiation and maintenance of waterpipe use in this population.ResultsOut of 371 first-year health sciences students surveyed, 358 eight students completed a self-administered questionnaire in the classrooms describing their use and perceptions towards waterpipe smoking. Two hundred and ninety six responders met study inclusion criteria. Waterpipe smoking was common among first-year health sciences university students, with 51% of students indicating they were current waterpipe smokers. Women were smoking waterpipes almost as frequently as men (48% versus 52%, respectively). The majority of waterpipe smokers (75.5%) indicated that the fun and social aspect of waterpipe use was the main motivating factor for them to continue smoking. Of waterpipe smokers, 55.3% were occasional smokers, using waterpipes once a month or less, while 44.7% were frequent smokers, using waterpipes more than once a month. A large number of frequent waterpipe smokers perceived that waterpipe smoking was a healthier way to use tobacco (40.6%) while only 20.6% thought it was addictive. Compared to occasional smokers, significantly more frequent smokers reported waterpipe smoking was relaxing (62.5% vs. 26.2%, p = 0.002), energizing (48.5% vs. 11.4%, p = 0.001), a part of their culture (58.8% vs. 34.1%, p = 0.04), and the healthiest way to use tobacco (40.6% vs. 11.1%, p = 0.005).ConclusionsSocial and recreational use of waterpipes is widespread among first-year health sciences university students in Iran. Women and men were almost equally likely to be current waterpipe users. Public health initiatives to combat the increasing use of waterpipes among university students in Iran must consider the equal gender distribution and its perception by many waterpipe smokers as being a healthier and non-addictive way to use tobacco.