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Hookah and college students: the lack of medical guidance, a public policy review, and a campaign to change the trend
Thesis

Hookah and college students: the lack of medical guidance, a public policy review, and a campaign to change the trend

Samir Ranjit Jani
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.), Drexel University
May 2009
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3094
pdf
Jani_Samir_2009339.04 kB
PDF Access upon request, Email title, URL, or DOI to archives@drexel.edu

Abstract

Hookah College Students Public Health Public Policy
Purpose: We intended to determine the prevalence, frequency, beliefs, and physician discussion rate of hookah among students. We concurrently aimed to survey physicians to determine their hookah knowledge and self-reported hookah discussion rate. Ultimately, we hoped to originate useful educational materials for both groups. Methods: We surveyed a random sample of undergraduate students at an urban university. We employed logistic regression modeling to ascertain variables associated with hookah users versus non-users and frequent hookah smokers versus rare smokers. Results: Out of 375 subjects, 13 (3.5%) were hookah naïve. 78 (20.8%) had never tried hookah while 284 (75.7%) smoked hookah. 64 students (22.6%) reported smoking hookah at least several times a month. 17 students (4.7%; 95% CI = 2.52%, 6.88%) reported a physician asking about hookah. In adjusted logistic regression models, individuals who believed hookah was healthier than cigarettes (OR = 2.193, 95% CI = 1.220, 3.942) and smoked marijuana (OR = 3.530, 95% CI = 1.837, 6.782) were significantly associated with being more likely to smoke hookah than non-users. Self-reported cigarette smoking (OR = 2.762, 95% CI = 1.430, 5.337) was the only variable associated with frequent hookah users. Out of 19 physicians surveyed, 1 (5.3%) reported asking patients about hookah, 6 (31.6%) never heard about hookah, and 18 (94.7%) expressed the desire to learn more. Conclusions: Smoking hookah is highly prevalent among college students partly because many do not know the health consequences. Simultaneously, many physicians do not know or ask about hookah. Useful educational resources will be valuable.

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