To Assess and Compare Perception, Level of Dependence, Psychological Stress among Hookah and Non-Hookah Smokers: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.
Main Article Content
Abstract
Introduction: Hookah smoking prevalence is increasing amongst youth owing to the misconceptions of its harmless nature and cultural beliefs tied to it. It is known that physical dependence and psychological stress is a major initiating factor for tobacco. The current study aims to assess and compare perception about smoking, nicotine dependence, and perceived stress among hookah and non-hookah smokers and its relation with age, and gender.
Method: The present cross-sectional study questionnaire-based study was conducted in the out-patient department of Oral Medicine and Radiology Department, of SGT Dental College, Gurugram, India for a period of two months from August to October 2023. Participants with a history of smoking for the past three years were included and divided into hookah and non-hookah smokers. Perception, nicotine dependence, and perceived stress were assessed among the participants. The perception about smoking was assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. The physical dependence was evaluated using a Fagerstrom scoring test for nicotine dependence, and the level of perceived stress was evaluated using a PSS10 (Perceived Stress Scale), which consists of 10 questions. Demographic data like participants age, gender were also noted. Statistical tests were performed using SPSS Version 26, for categorical and non-categorical data, with p value set<0.05.
Results: Total 120 participants were recruited and were divided into 60 were hookah smokers
and 60 were non hookah smokers. Out of 60 hookah smokers, 23(38.3%) were female and 37 (61.6%) were male hookah smokers. In non-hookah smokers, 26 (41.6%) were females and 34 (58.4%) were males. There is no significant difference in perception of smoking, level of dependence, and perceived stress amongst both hookah and non-hookah smokers (p>0.05). However, age and gender do affect smokers’ perception, dependance and stress levels.
Conclusion: Hookah smoking is often initiated in families at a young age compared to other forms of tobacco. Stress and nicotine dependence does not show variation in both the groups. Participants in the study are well aware of government measures and harmful effects of smoking. The study reiterates the need for changing the regulatory measures to change the perception of smoking at large.