Graduate students from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait studying at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln researched aspects of tobacco use in their region of the world. One study focused on the role of family attitudes and practices and religious beliefs in the use and nonuse of tobacco among college students in Saudi Arabia. The other study explored the extent of sheesha use among future teachers in Kuwait. Sheesha is the Middle Eastern water pipe used to smoke tobacco. The tobacco is usually combined with spices and flavorings. Sheesha use is a culturally integrated practice which needs to be included in discussions of the broader topic of tobacco use and health risks from tobacco use by young people and by those who work with young people.
Objectives
- Explore sheesha use among college of education students in Kuwait.
- Explore the role of religious beliefs and family attitudes on tobacco use by Saudi Arabian college students.
Activities
Sheesha Use: Data were collected in 2002 from a sample of students attending a college of education in Kuwait. The data are currently being analyzed. Another round of data was collected in 2006 from 2972 Kuwaitis.
Effect of Religious Beliefs and Family Attitudes and Practices on Tobacco Use: A pilot study has been completed and plans call for a survey of sample of the University students in the spring of 2003.
Publications and Papers
Khalid Muteb Assem Almutairi, "Predicting smoking behavior among male Saudi Arabian college students" (January 1, 2004). ETD collection for University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Paper AAI3131533. Available at http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/ AAI3131533
Heyam Reda Ali Mohammed, "Behaviors, attitudes, and knowledge toward smoking sheesha among selected students in a teacher certificate program in Kuwait" (January 1, 2003). ETD collection for University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Paper AAI3092575.
Available at http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/dissertations/AAI3092575
Mohammed, H. R., Zhang, Y., Newman, I.M., and Shell, D.F. (2010). Waterpipe smoking in Kuwait. Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal, 16(11), 1115-1120. Available at http://www.emro.who.int/emhj/V16/11/16_11_2010_1115_1120.pdf
Research Team
Faculty and Graduate Students:
Ian M. Newman, PhD.
Heyam Mohammed, M.A., PhD
Khalid Almutairi, M.S., PhD
Duane F. Shell, PhD.