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. 2015 Aug 24:6:79.
doi: 10.4103/2008-7802.163374. eCollection 2015.

Psycho-social Needs Impact on Hookah Smoking Initiation among Women: A Qualitative Study from Iran

Azam Baheiraei  1 , Shirin Shahbazi Sighaldeh  2 , Abbas Ebadi  3 , Roya Kelishadi  4 , Seyed Reza Majdzadeh  5
Affiliations

Psycho-social Needs Impact on Hookah Smoking Initiation among Women: A Qualitative Study from Iran

Azam Baheiraei et al. Int J Prev Med. .

Abstract

Background: In Iranian women, the use of hookah is the most common method of tobacco smoking. This study aimed to find the role of psycho-social needs and gaps as a possible risk factor for hookah smoking initiation in women.

Methods: This qualitative study was conducted during 2012-2013 in Tehran, Iran. Thirty-six women participated in the study. They were current or former users of hookah. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews and was analyzed through content analysis.

Results: Four main categories were identified from the data. This study focused on the category: Psycho-social needs and gaps. This category has five sub-categories which explain why women begin to smoke hookah including curiosity; desire for non-feminine, forbidden, and negative activities; need for amusement and recreation; for others: To show off; attract attention; satisfy and join others and protection.

Conclusions: From this study, a variety of factors which contribute to the initiation of hookah smoking among women have been identified. Keeping young girls and women away from seemingly happy gatherings of hookah smokers; Providing appropriate recreational facilities for young women and training families on how to help their children in the event of a crisis-like intention to take up smoking behavior, can be some effective ways for reducing hookah smoking initiation among women.

Keywords: Galyan; hookah; qualitative research; smoking; tobacco; water-pipe; woman.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest: None declared.

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