The effect of interventions to prevent and reduce hookah smoking: A systematic review

Introduction The prevalence of hookah smoking in Iran, especially among adolescents, is increasing. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to determine the effect of interventions to prevent and reduce hookah smoking using a systematic review. Methods In this study, all articles published up to April 2021 in both Persian and English in the field of interventions to prevent and reduce hookah smoking were reviewed. These studies were conducted based on the databases of the country’s publications (Magiran). According to the Cochrane search strategy, Iranian Medical Articles Database (Iran Medex) and Scientific Database (SID), Database in Scopus, PubMed, ISI Embase, and Science Direct databases, were searched. Two researchers independently selected studies based on inclusion criteria. The quality of the studies was assessed using EPHPP. Results Out of 4170 studies, 21 of those consistent with the research criteria were selected and carefully examined in the present study. The results showed that out of 20 studies that were reviewed, 19 studies showed that after completing the educational interventions, the prevalence of hookah smoking in the intervention group decreased compared to the control group. Also, the present study's findings showed that educational interventions with content about the side effects of hookah smoking comparing the pathogenicity of hookah and smoking and showing its addictive intensity could improve structures such as a positive attitude to hookah smoking. Conclusions Considering the effect of various interventions and the use of patterns and theories of health education can be very helpful in changing and modifying some factors affecting the tendency to hookah smoking