Prevalence of smoking hookah (shisha) among students of Salahaddin University

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of smoking shisha and evaluate the socio-demographic associates of smoking among Salahaddin University (SU) students in Erbil city. Respondents were selected randomly and 378 students who met the inclusion criteria participated in this study. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic and individual characteristics. The prevalence of smoking shisha among SU students (21.2%, n=80) was higher than that of cigarette smoking (12.4%, n = 47) and the highest prevalence of shisha smokers were much higher in males than females 70 (60.5%). Chi square test shows that 4 factors were significantly associated with smoking shisha; gender (χ2 =7.723, df=1, p<0.005), age (χ2 =37.674, df=2, p<0.001), BMI (χ2 =18.901, df=3, p<0.001), cigarette smoking status (χ2 =159.097, df=2, p<0.001). Multiple logistic regression test has showed that the most significant risk factors for smoking shisha were age (OR=5.585, 95%CI: 2.016-15.461), and cigarette smoking status (OR=74.060, 95%CI: 23.623-232.179). Among SU students, the overall prevalence of smoking shisha was high and significantly associated with age, gender, body mass index and cigarette smoking status. Effective prevention strategies are required in order to reduce the risk of smoking shisha among SU students.