Predicting waterpipe use in college students using the theory of reasoned action

Background - There are currently very few theory-driven studies, which examine predictors of waterpipe use among college students. This information is necessary to identify and understand factors affecting waterpipe use in this population and to design interventions. The purpose of this study was to test the utility of psychosocial variables of the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) in predicting waterpipe use.

Research Design – This cross-sectional study used a random sample of fulltime undergraduate college students (n=1000) ages 18-24 from a 4-year public institution in Central Virginia. The investigator-developed TRA Waterpipe Questionnaire (TRA-WQ) is a 37-item instrument used to capture modal components of the TRA in regard to waterpipe use. Demographic information and Tobacco Use history was also collected using measures from the Youth Risk Behavior Survey and The College Freshman Nicotine Study.

Procedure - A web survey was employed to assess the modal components of the TRA. Psychometric properties of the TRA-WQ were assessed. Multiple regression was used to determine the utility of the psychosocial variables of the TRA in predicting waterpipe use.

Results/Conclusions – Preliminary studies of college students revealed that 11-14% reported “current” waterpipe use, while 45-54% reported that they “ever” tried using a waterpipe. Reliability coefficients for TRA-WQ variables, i.e., belief-based attitudes and subjective norms, intention, and attitude, ranged from .76 to .95. Results of this web-based survey are pending and will be used to design interventions that can be tested in future studies, and inform healthcare practice working with college populations to prevent tobacco use.