Abstract:


Background: Shisha smoking is also known as Hukkah, Narghile, Arguileh, Goza, Hubble-Bubble, and is commonly referred to as water pipe smoking in the western world. It is a method of smoking tobacco that involves heating tobacco leaves with charcoal and drawing the smoke through a water pipe. Prevalence of Shisha smoking is on the rise Worldwide. In Africa, there is study done in Kampala city in Uganda on the prevalence, knowledge and practices of shisha smoking among youth. Among 458 people recruited for the study, 193 that is equivalent to 36.4% smoked shisha.


Objective: The objective of this research is to determine the prevalence and factors associated with shisha smoking among university students at Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences.


Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 281 students aged 18 to 25 years using closed and open questionnaires to assess the prevalence and factors associated with shisha smoking among university students at CUHAS. Data was analyzed using SPSS to establish factors independently associated with shisha smoking.


Results: A total of 281 undergraduate medical students was interviewed at CUHAS with 100% response rate. The mean age of respondent was 23 years. Out of the respondents 156(55.5%) were females and 125(44.5%) were males. All of them were single and majority of them reside on campus that was 190(67.6%) while 91(32.4%) live off campus. Majority of them were year 5 medical students, which were126(44.8%) the rest were from other years. Overall, among 281, 219 students (77.9%) reported having ever smoked while those who did not smoke shisha were 62 (22.1%). Also, 38(13.5%) smoked shisha out of curiosity, 85(30.2%) smoked because it is a social trend and 96(34.2%) smoked because of peer influence.


Conclusion: Shisha smoking is highly prevalent among study participants and it is very concerning, peer influence other addictions like alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking and curiosity were the main reasons why students practice shisha smoking. The consequences that may occur among the younger population from this habit are the results of misconception, lack of awareness programs and policies controlling shisha smoking.