251. The frequency of shisha (waterpipe) smoking in students of different age groups.
- Author
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Basir F, Khan MS, Ahmed B, Farooq W, and Virji RN
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Adult, Age Distribution, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Male, Pakistan epidemiology, Risk Factors, Sex Distribution, Surveys and Questionnaires, Water, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Smoking epidemiology, Students statistics & numerical data, Universities
- Abstract
Objective: To determine the frequency of waterpipe smoking in students of different age groups., Study Design: Cross-sectional survey., Place and Duration of Study: Karachi, Pakistan, from February 2012 to February 2013., Methodology: The subjects were divided into two age groups. Group-I comprised of 13 - 17 years old randomly selected students from O' Level schools in Karachi and group-2 included 23 - 27 years old undergraduate and postgraduate students again randomly selected from various institutions in Karachi. A questionnaire was filled with prior consent, basic education on waterpipe smoking was given, and all the questions of the survey form were explained to the subjects according to context., Results: In group-1, 39% students smoked waterpipe. Most students had been smoking waterpipe for the last 2 years. In group-2, 48% individuals smoked waterpipe, majority of smokers indulged in the last 5 years and among them, most were falling within the last 2 years., Conclusion: The frequency of waterpipe smoking in teenage students was 39% and older students for 48%. Social and recreational use of waterpipes is widespread among both groups despite being acknowledged by majority as a health hazard.
- Published
- 2014
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