The prevalence and characteristics of water-pipe smoking among high school students in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objective: To identify the prevalence and predictors of the water-pipe (WP) smoking epidemic in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted with 16-18 year-old high school students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Results: Of the 1272 participants, 414 (33.0%) reported having tried WP smoking. Of this group, 141 (34.1%) were female and 273 (65.9%) were male. Further, 129 (10.2%) students were current WP smokers who had used at least one rock in the past month; 20 were female (1.6%) and 120 were male (8.6%). Regarding age, 276 (68.1%) students who tried WP smoking at least once began when they were over 11 years of age, whereas 129 (31.9%) began WP smoking at or before 11 years of age. Adjusted odds ratios showed that trying WP smoking at least once was associated with smoking after the age of 11 (p = 0.021, OR 7.7; CI: 1.4-43.6) and accepting water-pipes from a friend (p = 0.024, OR 10.6; CI: 1.4-83.4). Conclusion: A high prevalence of WP smoking exists among male and female high schools students in Riyadh, KSA. WP smoking was reported to begin in early adulthood.

The Prevalence, Attitudes, and Correlates of Waterpipe Smoking Among High School Students in Iran: a Cross-Sectional Study

“…It has very few members of other ethnic groups, and has rigid ideas about tobacco smoking especially among adolescents and females. In a study in Saudi Arabia [18], half of the students smoked WPs at cafés which shows how cafés in the Middle East are the main place for WP smoking. On the other hand, half of the females, who are socially restricted in Saudi Arabia, smoked WPs in their homes in contrast in our study where just 14.2% of the current female WP smokers have smoked at their homes and 40.8% smoked WP at coffee shops which broke the rules and served WP to their under-age customers.…”

“…The prevalence of WP smoking in developing countries increases by 3.5% annually, mainly among youth [2,[15][16][17]. For instance, in Saudi Arabia, the prevalence of WP smoking between 2002 and 2007 increased from 6.8% to 8.7% among 13-15 year-old school students [17,18]. The national fact sheets from the Global School Based Student Health Survey (GYTS) among middle school (grades 1 and 2) and high school (grade 1) students in Iran in 2007 showed that 16.5% of students were current (smoked WP within last 30 days) WP smokers.…”

Individual and Social Determinants of Water-Pipe Smoking among Medical Student at King Saud University

“…Further analysis showed marital status did not significantly influence the practice of water pipe smoking among Malaysian University Students (8). In addition, we noticed some statistically significant raising trend of water-pipe Smoking a risk of 1 st year students to 5 th year students which the prevalence in 1 st year is 3.4% and it became 16% in 5 th year.…”

“…Water-pipe is cheap and widely available, facilitating its use among youth and individuals. In 2010, a study shows the prevalence of water pipe smoking was 37.5% among non-medical students(6) and a study shows that cigarette and water pipe smoking prevalence rate of 61.9% for males and 10.7% for females (8), Another study shows that 414 university students were reported as water pipe smokers (9) the study showed among Medical students it was reported that the prevalence of water pipe was 28.6%(5) which shows that is our estimate indicate the prevalence of smoking water pipe less in KSU medical students 12.1% . In 2011, a study was done among male medical students which showed results of 12.6% were reported as Shisha smokers and 4% were smoking both shisha and cigarette.…”

“…Furthermore, a study shows that cigarette and water pipe smoking prevalence rate of 61.9% for males and 10.7% for females (8). Another study shows that 414 university students were reported as water pipe smokers (9).…”