Factors affecting hookah tobacco smoking among females in the Islamic Republic of Iran: a qualitative study

Abstract

Background: The prevalence of hookah smoking in the Islamic Republic of Iran is increasing among females, especially in the southern cities. Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the factors influencing hookah tobacco smoking among females in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Methods: In this qualitative study, 52 females who use hookah were selected (25–71 years old) from the cities of Evaz and Gerash and were interviewed. The participants were selected using purposive sampling and the data were gathered using semi-structured interviews. Data analysis was performed using the conventional approach of qualitative content analysis. Results: Most participants were aged between 25 and 35 years old and 55.8% were married. Three main themes were identified from the qualitative data including: personal factors, family factors and social factors. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicate that the reasons for hookah smoking were based on complex interactions between individual, family, and social factors. In order to successfully reduce hookah smoking in females it is necessary to consider an approach that uses these social factors

Prevalence of Cigarettes and Waterpipe Smoking among Jordanians, Refugees, and Migrants in Jordan and Its Associated Factors: A Secondary Data Analysis

“…Such findings were also extended to urban Jordanians. This might be attributed to the influence of marketing power, social media, encouraging environment in cafes, social activity during large gatherings, the freedom of females to access waterpipe tobacco as easily as males, and the belief that waterpipe smoking is less harmful than cigarette smoking [36,37]. Furthermore, the use of waterpipe tobacco for women is considered more socially acceptable compared to cigarette smoking, which ultimately increases the prevalence of waterpipe smoking among females in Arab countries [32].…”

Prevalence and characteristics of smoking cigarette and narghile among Syrian refugee parents in Ontario, Canada

“…The results of these studies may be partly explained by the fact that cigarette smoking is not very socially acceptable for females in Middle Eastern countries, while narghile smoking is considered acceptable in social culture [7] and is usually practiced with family and friends [22]. Typically, it is the duty of females in the household to PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH prepare the narghile, and in its preparation they must inhale it to make sure it is well prepared [23]. In two different studies, females have reported that the exposure of having to prepare the narghile led them to acquiring the habit of smoking narghile [24,25].…”

“…Typically, it is the duty of females in the household to PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH prepare the narghile, and in its preparation they must inhale it to make sure it is well prepared [23]. In two different studies, females have reported that the exposure of having to prepare the narghile led them to acquiring the habit of smoking narghile [24,25]. This could partly explain the social acceptance of narghile for females as compared to cigarette smoking.…”

Midwakh/Dokha Tobacco Use as a Health Emergency in the South of Fars Province, Iran

“…Unfortunately, in Iran, various tools with a highly diverse and attractive appearance, along with hookah shops have attracted young people. Industrial and herbal drugs are freely sold in newsstands and some luxury supermarkets (10,11). In recent years, with the spread of young people turning to industrial narcotics, some people, thinking of facilitating the process of using these narcotics, have designed devices for smoking.…”