Shisha Consumption and Presence of Cotinine in Saliva Samples among Students in Public Universities in Coastal Kenya

Background. Despite the well-known adverse health effects of tobacco, shisha use among students in tertiary institutions remains a public health concern. In Kenya, the literature on status of shisha after the 2017 ban is scanty. This study sought to ascertain actual shisha use among university stude...

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Main Authors: Abdulrehman Halima Allahdad, Moses Ngari, Cromwell Mwiti Kibiti, Rahma Udu Yusuf, Sylvia Mutua, Valentine Budambula
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-01-01
Series:Global Health, Epidemiology and Genomics
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/5653709
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author Abdulrehman Halima Allahdad
Moses Ngari
Cromwell Mwiti Kibiti
Rahma Udu Yusuf
Sylvia Mutua
Valentine Budambula
author_facet Abdulrehman Halima Allahdad
Moses Ngari
Cromwell Mwiti Kibiti
Rahma Udu Yusuf
Sylvia Mutua
Valentine Budambula
author_sort Abdulrehman Halima Allahdad
collection DOAJ
description Background. Despite the well-known adverse health effects of tobacco, shisha use among students in tertiary institutions remains a public health concern. In Kenya, the literature on status of shisha after the 2017 ban is scanty. This study sought to ascertain actual shisha use among university students along the coastal strip. Methods. We investigated confirmed and self-reported shisha use. Using proportionate-to-size and snowball sampling methods, 380 respondents were enrolled from three universities. Sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported history of shisha use were documented using a participant-assisted questionnaire. Actual shisha use was determined qualitatively using 6 panel plus alcohol saliva test kit that detected cotinine use among other selected drugs. Results. Of the 380 participants, 278 (73%) were males and their median (IQR) age was 22 (20–23) years. This study reports 29% current use based on testing positive for cotinine. Among those who reported current ever use of shisha, 19% tested positive for cotinine, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, being separated (adjusted risk ratio (aRR): 2.06 (95% CI: 1.45–2.94)) compared to being single and studying for a degree compared to a diploma (aRR: 1.32 (95% CI: 1.10–1.58)) were associated with cotinine positive. The 4th year of study (aRR: 1.68 (95% CI: 1.22–2.33)) compared to the 1st year and reported knowledge of shisha (aRR: 1.84 (95% CI: 1.18–2.87)) were associated with cotinine positive. Conclusion. Nearly one-third of university students along the Kenyan coast are active shisha users. Saliva testing for cotinine is a more reliable method of reporting tobacco use. We recommend upscaling of health education, re-enforcement of the current ban on shisha consumption by concerned authorities, and saliva testing for cotinine while assessing current tobacco use.
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spelling doaj-art-f878f3e84e4f48c5ba86522435836fe52024-12-02T09:09:22ZengWileyGlobal Health, Epidemiology and Genomics2054-42002024-01-01202410.1155/2024/5653709Shisha Consumption and Presence of Cotinine in Saliva Samples among Students in Public Universities in Coastal KenyaAbdulrehman Halima Allahdad0Moses Ngari1Cromwell Mwiti Kibiti2Rahma Udu Yusuf3Sylvia Mutua4Valentine Budambula5Department of Environment and Health SciencesKEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research ProgrammeDepartment of Pure and Applied SciencesDepartment of Pure and Applied SciencesDepartment of Mass Communication StudiesDepartment of Environment and Health SciencesBackground. Despite the well-known adverse health effects of tobacco, shisha use among students in tertiary institutions remains a public health concern. In Kenya, the literature on status of shisha after the 2017 ban is scanty. This study sought to ascertain actual shisha use among university students along the coastal strip. Methods. We investigated confirmed and self-reported shisha use. Using proportionate-to-size and snowball sampling methods, 380 respondents were enrolled from three universities. Sociodemographic characteristics and self-reported history of shisha use were documented using a participant-assisted questionnaire. Actual shisha use was determined qualitatively using 6 panel plus alcohol saliva test kit that detected cotinine use among other selected drugs. Results. Of the 380 participants, 278 (73%) were males and their median (IQR) age was 22 (20–23) years. This study reports 29% current use based on testing positive for cotinine. Among those who reported current ever use of shisha, 19% tested positive for cotinine, respectively. In the multivariable analysis, being separated (adjusted risk ratio (aRR): 2.06 (95% CI: 1.45–2.94)) compared to being single and studying for a degree compared to a diploma (aRR: 1.32 (95% CI: 1.10–1.58)) were associated with cotinine positive. The 4th year of study (aRR: 1.68 (95% CI: 1.22–2.33)) compared to the 1st year and reported knowledge of shisha (aRR: 1.84 (95% CI: 1.18–2.87)) were associated with cotinine positive. Conclusion. Nearly one-third of university students along the Kenyan coast are active shisha users. Saliva testing for cotinine is a more reliable method of reporting tobacco use. We recommend upscaling of health education, re-enforcement of the current ban on shisha consumption by concerned authorities, and saliva testing for cotinine while assessing current tobacco use.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/5653709
spellingShingle Abdulrehman Halima Allahdad
Moses Ngari
Cromwell Mwiti Kibiti
Rahma Udu Yusuf
Sylvia Mutua
Valentine Budambula
Shisha Consumption and Presence of Cotinine in Saliva Samples among Students in Public Universities in Coastal Kenya
Global Health, Epidemiology and Genomics
title Shisha Consumption and Presence of Cotinine in Saliva Samples among Students in Public Universities in Coastal Kenya
title_full Shisha Consumption and Presence of Cotinine in Saliva Samples among Students in Public Universities in Coastal Kenya
title_fullStr Shisha Consumption and Presence of Cotinine in Saliva Samples among Students in Public Universities in Coastal Kenya
title_full_unstemmed Shisha Consumption and Presence of Cotinine in Saliva Samples among Students in Public Universities in Coastal Kenya
title_short Shisha Consumption and Presence of Cotinine in Saliva Samples among Students in Public Universities in Coastal Kenya
title_sort shisha consumption and presence of cotinine in saliva samples among students in public universities in coastal kenya
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2024/5653709
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