Urban college student self-report of hookah use with health care providers.

OBJECTIVE: This study's purpose was to describe urban college students' communication about hookah with health care providers.

PARTICIPANTS: Participants included a random sample of undergraduate urban college students and health care providers.

METHODS: Students surveyed determined the epidemiology of hookah use in this population, how many health care providers asked about hookah, and how many students admitted hookah use to a physician.

RESULTS: Of 375 students surveyed, 78 (20.8%) had never tried it, 284 (75.7%) had smoked hookah at least once, and 64 students (22.6%) were classified as frequent hookah smokers. Only 15 (4.7%) reported a health care provider asking about hookah during visits, whereas 36 (12.7%) admitted their hookah use to a health care provider.

CONCLUSION: Hookah use was found to be highly prevalent among students in one urban university. This study supports the hypothesis that few health care providers broach the topic with patients. Additional research on health consequences of hookah use, education, and improved screening is warranted.