Prevalence and Epidemiological Characteristics Associated with Hookah Smoking and Alcohol Consumption among Medical Students in Najaf, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Reporting patterns of hookah smoking (HS) and alcohol consumption (AC) in Iraq are limited. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the prevalence of HS and AC among medical undergraduates in Najaf, Iraq. Materials and Methods: A pilot-tested online self-administered questionnaire was used to conduct a descriptive cross-sectional study. The sampling followed the “snowball” technique. The associations of HS and AC with the participants’ characteristics, perceived risk of harm, motives, and consequences were tested. Results: The preceding month’s prevalence of HS and AC (at least once) was 13.8% and 2%, respectively. The age at initiation was mainly <15 years (59.3% of smokers and 92.3% of drinkers). The presence of a friend who drinks or smokes and skipping life problems were statistically significant motives for the habits (P-value < 0.05). Smoking mainly caused problems with parents (10.1%) and poor performance at school or work (7%), whereas AC mainly caused problems with teachers (8.5%) and fights (5.2%). Conclusion: In conclusion, the prevalence of HS and AC among medical undergraduates in Najaf, Iraq, was reported, and several associated characteristics were discerned. The findings help develop targeted interventions to protect future generations of medical professionals from the hazards of HS and AC.