Examine attitudes and Knowledge of the Harmful Effects of Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking among Thi-Qar university students
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: OBJECTIVE: Aim: To examines the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of nursing students in Iraq about WTS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to May 2025 including 410 nursing students at Thi-Qar University, employing a validated English questionnaire. We employed SPSS v26 (p<0.05 significant) to analyze the data using chi-square testing. RESULTS: Results: The prevalence of current WTS was 13.2% (n=54), predominantly male (92.6% of smokers). Smokers had significantly higher mean age (24.2 vs 21.5 years, p<0.001) and were more likely to be in later academic years (68.5% vs 36.3%, p<0.001). While 81.5% of smokers recognized nicotine content, 68.5% erroneously believed WTS was less addictive than cigarettes. Significant knowledge gaps existed regarding tar content (only 63.0% smokers acknowledged) and toxin filtration (40.7% believed water filters toxins). Attitudinally, smokers were more likely to view WTS as socially advantageous (51.9% believed it increased friendships vs 21.1%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Conclusions: The significant prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) among nursing students at Thi-Qar University, along with the associated misconceptions, constitutes a critical public health issue, undermining both their health and their effectiveness as patient role models. Our findings indicate the need for the prompt incorporation of a focused educational module into the nursing curriculum that specifically dispels WTS misconceptions and examines its social drivers.
Source: Wiadomości Lekarskie
DOI: 10.36740/wlek/211193
Institution: Thi Qar University
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4417273073
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