| Autor: |
Ngahane BHM; Internal Medicine Department, Douala General Hospital, Douala, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Environmental and Lung Health Association, Douala., Magouanet T; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea., Bitchong EC; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala, Jamot Hospital, Yaounde., Endale LM; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea, Hôpital Laquintinie, Douala, Cameroon., Barche B; Hôpital Laquintinie, Douala, Cameroon., Budzi MN; Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea., Mbele OC; Internal Medicine Department, Douala General Hospital, Douala, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala., Assob JC; Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Douala, Douala. |
| Abstrakt: |
BACKGROUND: Young adults consider shisha (water-pipe) less harmful than other smoking methods, but it has been reported to expose its users to excess levels of tobacco. This study sought to determine the prevalence, knowledge and factors associated with shisha use among university students in Buea, Cameroon. METHODS: Consenting participants were included in a cross-sectional study. Knowledge was assessed using a knowledge summary score and logistic regression used to identify factors associated with shisha smoking. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: There were 1,008 student participants; 509 (50.9%) were female. The mean age was 22.9 ± 3.1 years. The prevalence of shisha smoking was 26% (95% CI 23.3-28.8). Most respondents had good knowledge about shisha (59.2%). Poor knowledge about shisha (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.37, 95% CI 1.57-3.59)], living in a hostel (aOR 2.00, 95% CI 1.29-3.11), friends' use of shisha (aOR 5.41, 95% CI 3.03-10.43) and alcohol consumption (aOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.24-2.94) were associated with shisha smoking. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of shisha smoking among university students in Buea is high; about one-quarter of the students have poor knowledge about its harmful health effects. There is an increasing need for sensitisation of these young adults to the harmful effects of tobacco smoking. |
