Community perceptions of waterpipe smoking use in the Arabic speaking community in the St George area

Project Number
PS41773

Project Status
Completed

Chief Investigators
Dr Karen Gardner CPHCE ( Project Coordinator), Ms Rachael Kearns CPHCE/SEaRCH, Dr Julie McDonald CPHCE/SEaRCH, Ms Myna Hua SESLHD, Ms Lisa Woodland SESLHD

Project Rationale

The SESLHD Health Promotion Service and Multicultural Health Service recently completed a project to address the prevalence of smoking in the Arabic-speaking community in the St George area. A community concern raised through this project was the increasing use of waterpipes within the community, particularly amongst young people. This project seeks to start addressing this concern by gaining a deeper understanding of community perceptions about the extent of waterpipe smoking and the sociocultural factors underpinning it. The results of this research may then be used to inform future health promotion and prevention initiatives to address waterpipe smoking in this community.

Project Aims

The aims of this project are to:

1. Increase knowledge and understanding about community perceptions of the extent of waterpipe use in the Arabic speaking community in the St George area.

2. Increase knowledge and understanding about the sociocultural factors underpinning waterpipe use in the Arabic speaking community in the St George area.

3. Increase knowledge and understanding of waterpipe smoking practices that can be used to inform future health promotion, prevention and smoking cessation initiatives with the Arabic speaking community in the SESLHD catchment area.

Project Design and Method

The research methods for this project will include:

1. A rapid realist review: A rapid realist review methodology will be used to assess the relevant literature related to waterpipe smoking with a particular focus on community interventions and lessons learned from their implementation. The findings from this review will be used to inform the design of a qualitative research strategy.

2. The development of a qualitative research strategy: This strategy will focus on understanding current waterpipe smoking practices in the community, community concerns, knowledge of harms, readiness to address waterpipe smoking, and the possible interventions that would be acceptable. Data will be collected using focus groups including members of the Arabic speaking community.

3. Thematic analysis: The research team will analyse the qualitative data thematically, prepare initial results and hold a one day data retreat with the SESLHD team and a small number of community representatives to identify, discuss and interpret key findings.

4. Preparation of a report: A report or paper for publication will be prepared by the research team.