The Prevalence and Underlying Factors Related to Hookah Smoking Among Female Students

Abstract

Background: Smoking, particularly hookah use, has become a growing public health concern among adolescents globally. Objectives: The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the prevalence and underlying factors related to hookah smoking among female students in Kermanshah-Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 407 secondary school girls in Kermanshah in 2021. In this study, an electronic, confirmed, valid and reliable questionnaire was used. The participants were selected through a simple random sampling from the secondary schools. The data were entered into SPSS 22 software and analyzed. Results: The results showed that 5.6% of students have used hookah during the last year and 10.5% in their lifetime. The starting age of hookah smoking among students was 13.4 years old. 19.2% of families and friends of students had used hookah. A relationship was found between hookah smoking in students with hookah smoking family and friends. The risk of hookah smoking in students whose family use hookah is 28.1 times those whose families do not use hookah (95% confidence interval = 5.8, 2.92). The first place of hookah smoking was at home (43.5% of cases). Conclusions: The current study clarified the role of family and friends in the use of hookah in female students. Considering the increase in hookah smoking among adolescent girls and the important role of family and friends, the inclusion of this subject in future preventive interventions is suggested.