Waterpipe smoking among Jordanian adults: predictors and correlates

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Waterpipe tobacco use is a popular trend in smoking with an unsubstantiated belief of safety. The objectives were to determine the predictors of waterpipe smoking among a sample of adults in Jordan. Methods: A survey based cross-sectional study was conducted in a convenience sample of adults in Amman, Jordan (n=600) from July/2009-July/2010. Survey questions included socio-demographic characteristics, current and history of tobacco smoking, environmental and behavioral determinants of smoking like family and peer tobacco use, and perceived harm. Three multivariate logistic regression models were constructed to determine predictors of waterpipe use with the following outcomes: past ever use of a waterpipe to smoke tobacco vs. no use, past 30-day use vs. no use, and past 7-day use vs. no use. Results: Past cigarette, past cigar, past alcohol use, having friends and/or siblings that use waterpipes were significant predictors of waterpipes smoking, while gender was not. Perception of harm equivalent to cigarettes or more was associated with less use. Conclusion: Findings underscore the importance of developing interventions that incorporate the predictors identified and address the social encouragement that spreads waterpipe tobacco use.