Factors associated with shisha smoking: a cross-sectional telephone-based survey among general population adults in Nigeria

Abstract

BackgroundThis is the first national-level study to identify factors associated with shisha smoking among general population adults in Nigeria where high prevalence rates have been reported.MethodsWe conducted a telephone-based, cross-sectional survey between 28th July and 11th September 2022 in 12 states. We performed logistic regression analysis, with adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) as the measures of association.FindingsWe surveyed 1278 individuals: 611 who currently smoked shisha and 667 who did not. The following increased the likelihood of being a person who currently smokes shisha: being a person who currently smokes cigarettes (aOR=5.54, 95% CI 2.57 to 11.90) or consumes alcohol (aOR=3.46, 95% CI 1.91 to 6.28); and having a family member (aOR=2.32, 95% CI 1.23 to 4.40), or one (aOR=22.81, 95% CI 9.99 to 52.06) or more (aOR=78.85, 95% CI 22.50 to 276.33) close friends who smoke shisha. The following reduced the likelihood of being a person who currently smokes shisha: being older (aOR=0.92, 95% CI 0.89 to 0.95) and screening positive for possible generalised anxiety disorder (aOR=0.60 95% CI 0.41 to 0.88). The following did not have an effect on current shisha smoking status: sex, level of education, employment status, household wealth, religion, rural/urban residence, perceived stress score, and screening positive/negative for possible major depressive disorder.ConclusionsStrategies to curb shisha smoking need to account for the associated social and behavioural factors, including age, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and having family members or close friends who smoke shisha.