Waterpipe tobacco use in college and non-college young adults in the USA. (8th May 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sidani, Jaime E; Shensa, Ariel; Yabes, Jonathan; Fertman, Carl; Primack, Brian A
• Is Part Of: Family practice. Volume 36:Number 2(2019)
• Page Start: 103
• Page End: 109
• Publication Date: 2018-05-08
• Subjects: Health promotion -- health risk behaviours -- primary care -- smokers -- tobacco-water pipe -- smoking/tobacco use; Primary care (Medicine) -- Periodicals; Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; 616.005
• DOI: 10.1093/fampra/cmy037
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0263-2136

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS or 'hookah') is common among adolescents and college students in the USA. However, there has not yet been a large-scale, nationally representative study independently examining WTS among young adults who are not in college. Objective: This study sought to examine associations between attitudes, normative beliefs, certain socio-demographic factors and current WTS among young adults not in college and compare them to young adults in college. Methods: A total of 3131 US adults ages 18–30 completed an online survey about WTS behaviour, attitudes, normative beliefs and relevant socio-demographic factors. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine independent associations between these variables and current WTS stratified by student status. Results: Ever WTS was reported by 29% of young adults not in college and by 35% of those in college, and current use rates were 3 and 7%, respectively. Multivariable models demonstrated that positive attitudes and perceived peer acceptability of WTS were significantly associated with increased current WTS for both young adults not in college [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.72; 95% CI: 2.00–3.71 and AOR = 2.02; 95% CI: 1.50–2.71, respectively] and young adults in college (AOR = 3.37; 95% CI: 2.48–4.58 and AOR = 2.05; 95% CI: 1.49–2.83, respectively). The magnitude of these associations was not significantly different when comparing individuals in college and not in college. Conclusions: Among young adults, WTS is common in non-college-based populations as well as in college-based populations. Therefore, prevention programming should extend to all young adults, not only to those in college.