Sociocultural factors contributing to waterpipe tobacco smoking among young women: a qualitative study in Iran

Abstract

Background Waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) is currently a serious and growing public health threat in the world, especially in adolescents and young women. The aim of the study was to explore sociocultural factors contributing to WTS among young women in Iran.Methods This qualitative study was conducted from August 2017 to January 2019 in Isfahan and Hamadan cities, Iran; it included 13-30-year-old females with experience of WTS. For data collection, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted at participants’ preferred time and place. Concurrent with data collection, data were analyzed through conventional content analysis.Findings In total, 34 main participants with mean (SD) age of 22.97(4.89) years and eight auxiliary participants with mean (SD) age of 34 (9.95) years participated in the present study. Sociocultural factors contributing to WTS were categorized into four main categories of waterpipe glamorization by its producers and sellers, media advertisement or silence, common sociocultural traditions, and governmental policies and regulations.Conclusion WTS among young women in Iran is affected by a wide range of sociocultural factors. Therefore, interdisciplinary multidimensional strategies are needed for WTS management and prevention among young women. Public education, strict supervision of tobacco import, export, and selling, ample employment opportunities for young people and effective leisure time management are essential to reduce WTS.