Childhood Trauma Linked to Adult Waterpipe Smoking: A Survey of Health Science Students in Iran

Background: Explaining the risk and protective factors of waterpipe tobacco smoking (WTS) is the most important principle in designing preventive interventions. This study examined the relationship between self-reported childhood abuse and WTS among health science students in Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 776 health science students in Kerman City, located in southeast of Iran, who were selected by quota sampling approach. The study was performed using two valid short instruments for measuring WTS and child abuse including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse using a self-report method. Findings: The prevalence of ever use and current use (last 30 days) of WTS among participants was 49.6% and 33.4%, respectively. The initiation age of WTS in 60% of students was < 18 years. Child sexual abuse (CSA) was [odds ratio (OR) = 3.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.06-4.52, P < 0.001] the main predictor for WTS among students. Conclusion: Protecting children during childhood to prevent them from becoming victims may be an essential primordial preventive strategy for WTS.