The Prevalence and Determinants of Waterpipe and Cigarette Smoking Among Medical Sciences Students Living in Dormitories in Southern Iran.

Background and aims: Tobacco use among students is one of the most alarming problems throughout the world. This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of cigarette and waterpipe smoking as well as their determinants among students in dormitories of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 293 students living in the dormitories of Jahrom University of Medical Sciences using random sampling method. A researcher-made questionnaire was used, which included demographic characteristics and patterns of cigarette and waterpipe smoking. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine factors related to cigarette and waterpipe smoking.

Results: The mean age of the participants was 20.99 ± 1.74 years and 49.8% of them were male. The mean age at the initiation of cigarette and waterpipe smoking was 15.53 ± 4.33 and 16.60 ± 3.01 years, respectively. The prevalence of current cigarette smoking was 6.48% and that of waterpipe smoking was 8.53%. In addition, 10.24% and 17.06% of the participants reported ever use of cigarette and waterpipe smoking, respectively. Moreover, the prevalence of tobacco smoking was higher in male students than in females (8.22% vs. 4.76% for cigarette smokers and 11% vs. 6.12% for waterpipe smokers). The results showed that there was a significant relationship between having cigarette-smoker family members and having cigarette-smoker friends with cigarette smoking. Also, waterpipe smoking was associated with having cigarette-smoker family members and having waterpipe smoker friends (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Tobacco use is relatively high among medical students. Since the family and social factors are related to cigarette and waterpipe smoking, the family and society should be informed about the dangers of cigarettes and waterpipe smoking. It is also emphasized that students with risk factors be identified.