Hookah Research Articles

The impact of smoking different tobacco types on the subgingival microbiome and periodontal health: a pilot study

Smoking is a risk factor for periodontal disease, and a cause of oral microbiome dysbiosis. While this has been evaluated for traditional cigarette smoking, there is limited research on the effect of other tobacco types on the oral microbiome. This study investigates subgingival microbiome composition in smokers of different tobacco types and their effect on periodontal health. Subgingival plaques were collected from 40 individuals, including smokers of either cigarettes, medwakh, or shisha, and non-smokers seeking dental treatment at the University Dental Hospital in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. The entire (~ 1500 bp) 16S rRNA bacterial gene was fully amplified and sequenced using Oxford Nanopore technology. Subjects were compared for the relative abundance and diversity of subgingival microbiota, considering smoking and periodontal condition. The relative abundances of several pathogens were significantly higher among smokers, such as Prevotella denticola and Treponema sp. OMZ 838 in medwakh smokers, Streptococcus mutans and Veillonella dispar in cigarette smokers, Streptococcus sanguinis and Tannerella forsythia in shisha smokers. Subgingival microbiome of smokers was altered even in subjects with no or mild periodontitis, probably making them more prone to severe periodontal diseases. Microbiome profiling can be a useful tool for periodontal risk assessment. Further studies are recommended to investigate the impact of tobacco cessation on periodontal disease progression and oral microbiome.

Prevalence of Drug abuse among ante partum females, Obstetric Department, Beni Suef University Hospital, Egypt

The consumption of drugs of abuse among females in the Health Services is a frequent problem, but oftenit is not diagnosed. Aims: We have analyzed the variations in the clinical profile of female patients came toobstetric emergency department in a period of sex months and made screening for various drugs to assessthe percentage of addicted females in this period of life. Secondly, we have assessed also the accuracy of thepresumptive method of detection compared to the confirmatory method. Method: Urine samples were takenfrom pregnant females came to obstetric emergency department, Beni Suef University hospital and wasscreened to detect the drugs of abuse that taken by these females by immunoassay and GC- mass and clinicalassessment of the babies were done. Results: from 300 females there were 20 cases Tramadol positiveby immunoassay but all of them were false positive when GC-mass was used. There was a questionedcross reactivity between Ranitidine and tramadol by Immunoassay needing for more researches. 62.3% ofthe female were no educated 42% of the female’s husbands were SHISHA smokers. Intra uterine growthretardation was the most common fetal complicationConclusions: scientific survey which done to detect drug abuse among group of people should never dependon immunoassay methods. The belief that women are more biologically complicated than men and thatthey were too busy caring for their children to participate in studies should be changed. Women should beincluded in clinical researches.

Knowledge, practices and reasons of hookah smoking in the United Arab Emirates: A cross-sectional study

Background: Hookah smoking has been increasing in the past few years in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and becoming a public health concern. The objective of the study was to assess the knowledge, practices and reasons of hookah smoking among UAE residents. Methods: A cross-sectional study design used a structured and validated self-administered survey. Results: Out of 420 individuals who participated in the study, 54.5% (n = 229) were males. The prevalence of smoking hookah was 37.7% (n = 158) and more prevalent among people aged 18–29 years (n = 99, 41.6%), Arab non Emiratis (n = 112, 42.6%) and cigarette smokers (n = 54, 49.1%), P

Smoking pattern among adults in Al-Diriyah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Background: The prevalence of smoking is high and should be considered as a warning for the coming epidemic. This study aimed to describe the pattern (proportion, common types, and the possible risk factors) of smoking among adults male students’ families in Al-Diriyah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia Methodology: An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Al-Diriyah in governmental and private schools. Al-Diriyah is a town in Saudi Arabia located on the north-western outskirts of Riyadh. The data were collected from 200 adult males by convenience sampling method. Results: The proportion of current smokers was 90% among elementary education, 23% in intermediate, 24% in high school, and 17% in university-educated. This decline across different education levels was statistically significant. The proportion of cigarette smokers were 28% and shisha smokers were 13% distributed among different education levels. This shows that the most common type of smoking is cigarette than shisha. The proportion of adults who said that their friends smoke around them was 77%, a sibling or father was 36%, and a teacher was 29%. This shows that friends feels comfortable to smoke around each compared to family members. Conclusion: University-educated people were found to have the lowest among current smokers. Also, cigarette smoking was found as the most common type among adults males. Finally, friends were likely to influence a nonsmoker to smoke.

Disparity and compatibility, familiarity and perception among waterpipe tobacco smokers (Shisha) in Malaysia: A comparative study

Background: In Malaysia, although the number of Shisha smokers has not exceeded the regular cigarette users, waterpipe smoking (Shisha) has been appeared as a new form of tobacco use, especially among the new generation. This study aims to describe the comparative characteristics, familiarities, and motives for Shisha use in some states of Malaysia.  Methods: A cross-sectional survey using a new validated self-administered, bilingual questionnaire was conducted among Shisha smokers in Pulau

Prevalence of Tobacco Consumption Through Passive Smoking and E-cigarette at Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences

Background: More than 6 million adults worldwide are lost their lives due to the consumption of cigarettes. Aim of this study is the investigation of tobacco consumption prevalence via both passive smoking and e-cigarette amongst medical students at Fakeeh College for Medical Sciences (FCMS), Jeddah city, Saudi Arabia. Methods: An epidemiological, cross-sectional study conducted amongst FCMS medical students between July 2020 till November 2020. Results: Total of 359 participants involved in this study. Females were (87.7%) and males were (12.3%). (48.7%) of the participants were in age group 19-20 years and (30.9%) were 21-22 years. (93.8%) were singles. The majority were in their second and third academic year, 78 (23.1%) and 90 (26.7%), respectively. 293 (81.6%) are not current smokers and 72 (20.1%) are former smokers. Most of the participants agreed that smoking tobacco causes dangerous diseases such as brain thrombosis, heart attacks and lung cancer, 291 (81.1%), 189 (52.6%), 262 (73.0%) and 288 (80.2%); respectively. Using E-cigarette to quit smoking is successful in 53 (14.8%) and 105 (29.2%) recommend E-cigarette for smoking cessation. Conclusions: Prevalence of E-cigarettes and shisha smoking amongst students of FCMS is not high, yet it is alarming. Most of the participants had good knowledge of tobacco harms. Our results highlight the importance of initiating campaigns to quit smoking cigarettes, E-cigarette, and shisha on-campus. The results obtained from this study show the importance to create, develop and implement tobacco education programs to help in smoking cessation.

Hookah smoking among young people in Bamako

Introduction: In Mali, shisha has become the most common form of tobacco consumption, which is not without danger for the consumer health. The aim of this study was to assess the consumption level of shisha among young people in the District of Bamako. Methods: This was a prospective study from March 2019 to March 2020. A total of 200 young shisha smokers aged 40 or under were included in this study. Results: The male sex was predominant, with 75% of cases. The majority, or 81.5%, were under the age of 25. According to study data, 26% of respondents said they smoke shisha at least once a day. Over a quarter of cases reported concurrent use of two or more addictive substances. The most common association was with alcohol (13%), cannabis (9%) and cocaine (4.5%). According to the results, 69% of respondents thought that shisha is less harmful than cigarettes. Conclusion: Consumption of shisha has grown considerably in Mali in recent years. This study has highlighted a new form of multiple drug addiction, which could be harmful to the health of consumers. Thus, the authorities concerned must take appropriate measures to combat this scourge.

Association of shisha smoking with acute otitis media in men: A case-control study

Association of shisha smoking with acute otitis media in men: A case-control study

The effect of interpersonal communication in tobacco control campaigns: A longitudinal mediation analysis of a Ghanaian adolescent population

This study examined the effectiveness of anti-smoking messages in positively shifting perceptions of risks related to smoking among adolescents in urban Ghana, both directly through exposure to messaging and indirectly through catalyzing discussions among peers and adults.We used data from two waves of a population-based survey of 3775 adolescent girls and 3279 adolescent boys aged 13–16 years in the urban areas of Accra, Teshie, Kumasi and Sunyani in Ghana. Using an interviewer-directed questionnaire, information was collected on sociodemographic characteristics, tobacco knowledge, exposure to messages about tobacco, frequency of conversations with peers and adults about the health risks associated with smoking, as well as beliefs and attitudes towards smoking. The outcome measure is smoking risk perception in relation to shisha and cigarettes. Using causal mediation analysis, we examine the direct and indirect effects of social media relative to mass media as they work to spur discussions among peers, as well as between peers and adults, about smoking risks and about aligning risk perceptions with objective risk.We find that media exposure – both social and mass media – can impact risk perceptions. We find in particular an 8.6 percentage point increase in shisha smoking risk perceptions due to social media campaign exposure (95% CI: 3.71–13.50) and a 2.3 percentage point increase in cigarette smoking risk perception due to mass media campaign exposure (95% CI: 0.26–4.27). We further find that the indirect effect of conversations with peers mediated 16.3% of the total effect of mass media campaign exposure on cigarette smoking risk perception and 4.8% of the total effect of social media campaigns on shisha smoking risk perception. Social media campaigns increased shisha smoking risk perception among girls by 11.6 percentage points (95% CI: 5.59–17.61), of which 6.8% was mediated by conversations with peers, while conversations with peers did not significantly mediate campaign effect among boys. Conversations with adults were never found to significantly mediate smoking prevention campaigns effects in this sample of Ghanaian adolescents.Behavior change communication programs that rely solely on traditional mass media can miss important opportunities for shifting smoking risk perceptions and sharing information on the harms of smoking. Evaluations that ignore the indirect effects of conversations among peers mediating campaign effects may fail to identify important channels that can be targeted and triggered by mass and social media tobacco control campaigns.

Impact of smoking on heavy metal contamination and DNA fragmentation.

Tobacco is smoked by different techniques through cigarette and shisha smoking. The prevalence of tobacco is considered one of the major threats to public health. This study aims to assess the effect of cigarette, shisha, and mixed (cigarette/shisha) smoking on heavy metal contamination in hair samples, hair loss, and DNA fragmentation, to correlate age, incidence of hair loss, and smoking duration with the amount of accumulated metals and the DNA fragmentation, and to correlate the level of heavy metal contamination with DNA fragmentation. This study was implemented in Saudi Arabia among sixty males divided into four groups (15/group): control and cigarette, shisha, and mixed smokers. Heavy metal contamination in hair samples and urinary DNA levels were assayed. All metal and urinary DNA levels were significantly elevated in cigarette, shisha, and mixed smokers compared to non-smokers. Hair loss was also higher among smokers especially among participants with high DNA concentrations. There were positive significant correlations of age and incidence of hair loss with urinary DNA concentration. There were positive significant correlations between urinary DNA concentration and all heavy metal levels. Cigarette, shisha, and mixed smoking trigger metal contamination, DNA fragmentation, and hair loss. Moreover, hair loss was observed to be associated with Sb, Cd, and Ni as well as urinary DNA level, while age was associated only with lead and urinary DNA levels. The duration of smoking had a major impact on Pb and Sb levels. Finally, contamination with all six metals was significantly associated with DNA fragmentation.

Evaluation of a multimedia youth anti-smoking and girls\u2019 empowerment campaign: SKY Girls Ghana

BackgroundGiven the long-term health effects of smoking during adolescence and the substantial role that tobacco-related morbidity and mortality play in the global burden of disease, there is a worldwide need to design and implement effective youth-focused smoking prevention interventions. While smoking prevention interventions that focus on both social competence and social influence have been successful in preventing smoking uptake among adolescents in developed countries, their effectiveness in developing countries has not yet been clearly demonstrated. SKY Girls is a multimedia, empowerment and anti-smoking program aimed at 13–16-year old girls in Accra, Ghana. The program uses school and community-based events, a magazine, movies, a radio program, social media and other promotional activities to stimulate normative and behavioral change.MethodsThis study uses pre/post longitudinal data on 2625 girls collected from an interviewer-administered questionnaire. A quasi-experimental matched design was used, incorporating comparison cities with limited or no exposure to SKY Girls (Teshie, Kumasi and Sunyani). Fixed-effects modeling with inverse probability weighting was used to obtain doubly robust estimators and measure the causal influence of SKY Girls on a set of 15 outcome indicators.ResultsResults indicate that living and studying in the intervention city was associated with an 11.4 percentage point (pp) (95% CI [2.1, 20.7]) increase in the proportion of girls perceiving support outside their families; an 11.7 pp. decrease (95% CI [− 20.8, − 2.6]) in girls’ perception of pressure to smoke cigarettes; a 12.3 pp. increase (95% CI [2.1, 20.7]) in the proportion of girls who had conversations with friends about smoking; an 11.7 pp. increase (95% CI [3.8, 20.8]) in their perceived ability to make choices about what they like and do not like, and 20.3 pp. (95% CI [− 28.4, − 12.2]) and 12.1 pp. (95% CI [− 20.7, − 3.5]) reductions in the proportion agreeing with the idea that peers can justify smoking shisha and cigarettes, respectively. An analysis of the dose-effect associations between exposure to multiple campaign components and desired outcomes was included and discussed.ConclusionThe study demonstrates the effectiveness of a multimedia campaign to increase perceived support, empowerment and improve decision-making among adolescent girls in a developing country.

Investigating the Prevalence of High-Risk Behaviors among Professional Athletes

: The prevalence of high-risk behaviors among professional athletes as role models for their fans, especially adolescents and young people, is important to be considered. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HRBs in Iranian professional athletes. This cross-sectional study included 1,940 athletes that were active in eight popular sports from 12 cities of the country. Data were collected using stratified random sampling and a self-made high-risk behavior questionnaire. To analyze the data, descriptive statistical methods were used. The results showed the prevalence of doping among professional athletes was 3%. Besides, 0.3% of the professional athletes on average smoke daily, and 2% used shisha (smoking water pipes) daily. Moreover, 2.5% of professional athletes drunk alcohol at least one time per month. Also, the prevalence of violence involvement among professional athletes was 4.1%, and the prevalence of illicit drug use was 0.3%. The research results showed all high-risk behaviors were prevalent to some degree among professional athletes.

Laryngopharyngeal reflux in war-torn Syria and its association with smoking and other risks: an online cross-sectional population study

ObjectivesTo demonstrate the burden of laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) in Syria and its associated variables.DesignThis is a cross-sectional study that used online questionnaires that included demographics, smoking, war-related questions and reflux...

Shisha Smokers’ Desire To Quit Shisha Smoking Habit: Findings From A Nigerian Pilot Survey

Objectives To explore the reasons why shisha smokers indulge in shisha smoking habit, and to also explore their attitudes towards quitting shisha smoking habit Methods A total of 45 current shisha smokers participated in the study. The study tool was a paper questionnaire. Snowballing technique was the sampling method adopted in the recruitment of study participants. Data obtained was analyzed using the SPSS version 20 software Results The mean (±SD) age of the participants was 25.8 (±5.5) years and majority (71.1%) of them were males. The top two reasons why the participants smoke shisha were: “for pleasure” (40%); and “to feel among” (33.3%). The majority (66.7%) of the participants wanted to quit shisha smoking habits. However, only 54.5% (18/33) of them indicated that they made efforts at quitting the behavior within the past one year. Also, only 66.7% (28/42) and 65.6% (21/32) of those participants who had a close friend and a close family member/relative that smoke shisha, respectively, wanted to quit shisha smoking habit Conclusion This study shows diverse reasons why shisha smokers engage in shisha smoking habit. Also, many of these smokers were willing to quit shisha smoking habits but, unfortunately, they are yet to quit the habit. This demonstrates the need for social support of shisha smokers in our environment towards quitting shisha smoking habit

Indoor Air Pollution and the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Objective: To measure an association between factors related to indoor air pollution and CVD in the Hail population of Saudi Arabia.
 Methodology: A case control study was conducted in King Khalid hospitals. Convenience and random sampling techniques were used to recruit cases and controls. Structured Questionnaire was used to collect data from 302 CVD cases and 300 controls. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS 24.0 statistical software.
 Results: The bivariate analysis showed significant association between (i) socio-demographic characteristics (ii) air quality and occupation related variables (iii) ventilation and cooking related factors and (iv) exposure of different types of smoke, and CVD (p<0.001). The independent risk factors of CVD by Multivariate logistic regression analysis with adjusted odds ratios of variables are: age groups (25-50 & >50 years) (2.95&22.84); education level (uneducated & primary) (4.39&2.64); cigarette smoking (1.89); shisha smoking (2.12), exposed to cigarette smoke (2.50); burning scented wood (3.09), burning of mosquito repellent (2.18) and kitchen type (2.83) (p<0.001).
 Conclusions: This study shows various sources of air pollutants are associated with CVD. The composition of indoor and outdoor air is same in Hail city but amount of contaminants is high in indoor environments. Future studies longitudinal studies are required to confirm the findings of this study.

Predictors of shisha smoking among adolescent females in Western Iran in 2019: Using the Prototype-Willingness Model.

INTRODUCTIONGiven the increasing prevalence of shisha smoking (SS) in adolescent females, it is necessary to determine the factors influencing adolescent’s choice of shisha. This study aimed to determine predictors of shisha smoking among adolescent females in Western Iran based on the Prototype-Willingness Model (PWM).METHODSThis cross-sectional study was conducted on 1302 adolescent females in Kermanshah city, western Iran, in 2019. The method was multi-stage sampling with a systematic random approach. Data were collected using a questionnaire consisting of sociodemographic questions, history of shisha smoking, and Prototype-Willingness Model structure-based questions. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22 software. Statistical tests included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation test, and linear and logistic regression analyses.RESULTSThe prevalence of current consumers of shisha was 20.4%. Attitude and behavioral willingness and subjective norms were the most important predictors of behavioral intentions, whereas subjective norms, attitudes, and prototypes were the most important predictors for behavioral willingness. The results obtained from the logistic regression analysis revealed that both pathways of PWM constructs (behavioral intention OR=1.37; behavioral willingness OR=1.32) were significant predicting factors for shisha smoking among adolescent females.CONCLUSIONSGiven the efficient role of behavioral willingness and intention for shisha smoking (SS) in adolescent females, it is necessary to consider these structures in designing educational strategies for the prevention of adolescent smoking.

Is Quarantine an Adequate Solution for High Fragile Countries? Forced Quarantine in War-Torn Syria from the Psychological Perspective

Background: Syria has suffered for nine years from conflict that left over 11.1 million in need of humanitarian assistance and over 80% under the poverty line. Forced quarantine for ten weeks was applied which although successfully minimised the spread of COVID-19, it left more devastating effects on the psychological health than nine years of war had left. Methods: Online questionnaires were distributed to different groups that had demographic and war-related questions, Arabic versions of Dimensions of anger reactions 5 (DAR-5), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Results: This study included 1445 participants with 515 (35.6%) being males and a mean age of 24.8 ± 6.3 years. Moreover, 38% had problematic anger, around 65% had moderate to very severe depression, around 45% had moderate to severe anxiety, and around 40% had moderate to severe stress. Stress from increased house and living expenses, not being able to go out, reduced ability to earn, and providing food significantly contributed to the psychological burden (PConclusion: The psychological burden of the damaged economy surpassed the direct damage of COVID-19 and may take years, if not decades, to recover if no urgent intervention is conducted. Quarantine in high fragile countries may delay the spread, but it may have a more negative impact on the mental health.Funding Statement: The authors received no funding in any form.Declaration of Interests: The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.Ethics Approval Statement: Informed consent that ensured anonymity and confidentiality was taken before proceeding with the survey. The informed consent was also for using and publishing the data without any personal indicator. The study ethical aspects were approved by Damascus University deanship in Damascus, Syria.

Cigarette, shisha, and electronic smoking and respiratory symptoms in Swiss children: The LUIS study.

Smoking habits in adolescents are changing. We assessed active smoking of conventional cigarettes, e-cigarettes and shishas in Swiss schoolchildren, studied risk factors and compared respiratory problems between smokers and non-smokers. We used data from LuftiBus in the school (LUIS), a school-based survey of respiratory health of children carried out 2013 to 2016 in the canton of Zurich, Switzerland. Participants were asked about use of cigarettes, shishas, and electronic smoking devices (ESD), and current respiratory symptoms. We studied associations between smoking and risk factors using logistic regression. We included 3488 schoolchildren. Among 6 to 12-year-olds, 90/1905(5%) had smoked occasionally (<once/week). Among 13 to 17-year-olds, 563/1583(36%) had smoked occasionally of whom 414 smoked ESDs, 409 shishas, and 276 cigarettes. Among 13 to 17-year-olds who smoked frequently (≥once/week), 41/54 (76%) smoked cigarettes. A 22% of 15 to 17-year-olds (104/477) had used all three products. Smoking was more common in adolescents who were male (adjusted OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.7-2.6), lived in rural areas (1.8, 95% CI, 1.2-2.9 vs small urban), and whose mother (1.7, 95% CI, 1.3-2.3) or father (1.5, 95% CI, 1.2-1.9) smoked. Current respiratory symptoms like rhinitis, dyspnea, and wheeze were more common among frequent smokers (44%, 30%, 12%, respectively) and occasional smokers (32%, 22%, 13%) than in never smokers (29%,19%, 8%, P for trend <.05). Smoking of shishas and ESDs is common among Swiss adolescents and often combined with smoking cigarettes. Adolescent smokers reported more respiratory symptoms than never smokers. We recommend smoking preventive strategies that include all forms of smoking.

Prevalence, Predictors, and Characteristics of Waterpipe Smoking Among Jazan University Students in Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background:Waterpipe smoking (WPS), also called shisha, has considerable short and long-term effects on human health. WPS has become increasingly popular among the youth in Jazan society. Hence, this study is aimed to assess the prevalence, predictors, and characteristics (knowledge and attitude) of WPS among male and female students at Jazan University.Methods and materials:A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted among 405 students. Data were collected using a self-administered validated questionnaire. The prevalence and predictors of WPS and the association between important socio-demographic factors (sex, type of college, parents smoking, home mate smoking and close friend smoking) were studied.Results:The prevalence of WPS among students was high, approximately 34.0%. The prevalence rate was significantly higher in males (42.5%, n = 74) than in females (27.0%, n = 57) (p = 0.001). The main predictors of WPS were: being male (OR = 1.99, 95% CI [1.30, 3.06], p = 0.001), believing that shisha smoking is less harmful & addictive than cigarettes (OR = 3.84, 95% CI [1.88, 7.83], p < 0.001 and 3.80, 95% CI [2.0, 7.11], p < 0.001, respectively), and having a close friend who smokes (OR = 6.85, 95% CI [3.84, 12.22], p < 0.001).Conclusions:WPS prevalence among Jazan University students was high, and the most influential factors were being male, having smoker housemates and friends, and having incorrect thoughts and beliefs.

Think about acute shisha carbon monoxide intoxication: that's one small step for the patient, one giant leap for our society

The number of people in the world consuming chicha is constantly increasing. However, several studies have shown that regular shisha smokers, whether active or passive, are exposed to the same risks as tobacco smokers. Shisha is also responsible for acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, which is often unknown to emergency doctors, leading to under-diagnosis of this pathology and inappropriate treatment. We report in this series 3 cases of acute carbon monoxide poisoning following active or passive consumption of chicha. The prehospital percentage carboxyhemoglobin level measured by the pulse CO-oximeter is 22 and 27% for active smokers and 10% for the passively intoxicated patient. The individual and societal consequences of CO intoxication are significant. We believe it is important to make all those involved in emergency medicine aware of this pathology in order to treat it correctly from the initial phase and thus reduce its morbi-mortality and the risks of long-term complications.