Frontiers in public health · 2025
Tobacco smoking patterns in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: a comprehensive analysis of trends before and after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Alam Zufishan, Elbarazi Iffat, Al Shehhi Budoor, AlSafi Maha Mohamed, Al Wahedi Mariam, Maarouf Ilfat Assaad, Hassan Aamir, Al-Houqani Mohammed
Аннотация
INTRODUCTION: Tobacco smoking is a leading yet preventable risk factor for morbidity and mortality worldwide. As in western countries, the Arab world also encounters the growing tobacco epidemic. Assessment of smoking prevalence is a key step in identification of emerging trends, thus enabling planning of preventive measures.
METHODS: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of tobacco smoking among applicants of the Premarital Screening Program, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates during 2019-2023. Data was collected from all participants who applied for the program, through a questionnaire enquiring about tobacco smoking habits and methods of use. Overall smoking prevalence was assessed for the five-year period, as well as individually for each year. Smoking patterns were observed for three distinct COVID-19 periods: pre-COVID (2019), peri-COVID (2020-21) and post-COVID (2022-23). The smoking patterns were also examined by gender and nationality status. The findings are based on responses of 74791 applicants, of which 47% were females and 68.4% UAE nationals.
RESULTS: The reported overall tobacco smoking prevalence was 14.6%, with cigarette and Midwakh (handheld pipe) being the most commonly used methods (6.6%), followed by water pipe (2.2%). Smoking levels were reported to be significantly higher in men and UAE nationals compared to women and non-nationals respectively. A general decline was observed in point prevalence of tobacco smoking levels from the pre-COVID period (19.1%) to the peri-COVID period (15.1%), and further to the post-COVID period (13.5%) as the pandemic restrictions eased.
DISCUSSION: There is a need of control measures and interventions to maintain the positive behavioral change, brought by the COVID-19 that resulted in tobacco use reduction. Furthermore, steps to curb use of Midwakh, which is becoming an increasingly popular method of choice, are also required.
METHODS: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of tobacco smoking among applicants of the Premarital Screening Program, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates during 2019-2023. Data was collected from all participants who applied for the program, through a questionnaire enquiring about tobacco smoking habits and methods of use. Overall smoking prevalence was assessed for the five-year period, as well as individually for each year. Smoking patterns were observed for three distinct COVID-19 periods: pre-COVID (2019), peri-COVID (2020-21) and post-COVID (2022-23). The smoking patterns were also examined by gender and nationality status. The findings are based on responses of 74791 applicants, of which 47% were females and 68.4% UAE nationals.
RESULTS: The reported overall tobacco smoking prevalence was 14.6%, with cigarette and Midwakh (handheld pipe) being the most commonly used methods (6.6%), followed by water pipe (2.2%). Smoking levels were reported to be significantly higher in men and UAE nationals compared to women and non-nationals respectively. A general decline was observed in point prevalence of tobacco smoking levels from the pre-COVID period (19.1%) to the peri-COVID period (15.1%), and further to the post-COVID period (13.5%) as the pandemic restrictions eased.
DISCUSSION: There is a need of control measures and interventions to maintain the positive behavioral change, brought by the COVID-19 that resulted in tobacco use reduction. Furthermore, steps to curb use of Midwakh, which is becoming an increasingly popular method of choice, are also required.