Predictors of hookah smoking frequency among women in the south of Iran: a cross-sectional study
Background: The prevalence of hookah smoking (HS) has grown over the past decades in Iran especially in the south of the country. This study aimed to determine the behavioral and socio-demographic predictors of the HS frequency among women in southern Iran.
Method: This research was conducted on 400 female hookah smokers selected through multi-stage sampling method. Data were collected from October 2018 to September 2019 using a questionnaire guided by literature. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was run to determine the influential behavioral and socio-demographic predictors involved in the frequency of HS. Variables with a P-value of less than 0.05 in the final fitting model were regarded to be associated with the outcome variable (frequency of HS per day).
Results: Women' age ranged between 15 and 85 years (mean=35±13 years). We found that the lowest age of beginning to smoke hookahs (SHs) (p<.001) of less than 15 years, 15-30 years (p=.003), longer duration of HS (p<.001), family usage of HS (p<.001), beginning to SHs with peers (p<.001), absence of either parent in family (single-parent families) (p<.001) and a lack of prior intention to cease smoking (p=. p<.001) predicted the frequency of HS. Also 35-50 age group (p=.01) and those above 50 years (p=.02), ever-married group (p=.002) and low socio-economic status (SES) (p<.001) predicted the frequency of HS.
Conclusion: To prevent the behavior and make effective interventions to reduce HS, policy-makers should stay focused on factors other than internal motivations. Encouraging the social unacceptance of hookahs, focus on those surrounding women smokers, quitting the habit of HS and effective interventions to decrease one's intention to SHs can help to reduce such unhealthy behaviors.
Figure 1
Posted 16 Jun, 2020
Predictors of hookah smoking frequency among women in the south of Iran: a cross-sectional study
Posted 16 Jun, 2020
Background: The prevalence of hookah smoking (HS) has grown over the past decades in Iran especially in the south of the country. This study aimed to determine the behavioral and socio-demographic predictors of the HS frequency among women in southern Iran.
Method: This research was conducted on 400 female hookah smokers selected through multi-stage sampling method. Data were collected from October 2018 to September 2019 using a questionnaire guided by literature. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was run to determine the influential behavioral and socio-demographic predictors involved in the frequency of HS. Variables with a P-value of less than 0.05 in the final fitting model were regarded to be associated with the outcome variable (frequency of HS per day).
Results: Women' age ranged between 15 and 85 years (mean=35±13 years). We found that the lowest age of beginning to smoke hookahs (SHs) (p<.001) of less than 15 years, 15-30 years (p=.003), longer duration of HS (p<.001), family usage of HS (p<.001), beginning to SHs with peers (p<.001), absence of either parent in family (single-parent families) (p<.001) and a lack of prior intention to cease smoking (p=. p<.001) predicted the frequency of HS. Also 35-50 age group (p=.01) and those above 50 years (p=.02), ever-married group (p=.002) and low socio-economic status (SES) (p<.001) predicted the frequency of HS.
Conclusion: To prevent the behavior and make effective interventions to reduce HS, policy-makers should stay focused on factors other than internal motivations. Encouraging the social unacceptance of hookahs, focus on those surrounding women smokers, quitting the habit of HS and effective interventions to decrease one's intention to SHs can help to reduce such unhealthy behaviors.
Figure 1