Water Pipe Smoking among Qassim University Male Students: Prevalence and Beliefs

Objective: The main objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence and beliefs of water pipe & cigarette smoking among Qassim University male students. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among the students of Literature Colleges, Health Colleges of Qassim University and a self-administered, anonymous, pre-structured, designed proforma was distributed among randomly selected group of 500 male university students during January 2011. The questionnaire was designed to ask specific questions that are related to cigarette smoking and water pipe smoking in general and their belief regarding smoking. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS software. Results: The total prevalence rate of waterpipe smoking was found to be 40% and Cigarette smoking was 41%. The major prevalence was found among the students of Health College (50%) then Science College (38%) and Literature College (12%). Cigarette smoking, smoking among relatives and friends has significant association (P<0.05) with prevalence of waterpipe among university students, while residence, income and marital status do not have any significant effect on water pipe smoking. Conclusions: Approximately more than one-third of the students currently smoke waterpipe. Smoking of both cigarette and waterpipe was frequently found and it is precipitated with the same habits in family and friends.