International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210102020020921772177ENSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, KermanHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, KermanNeuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, KermanHIV/STI Surveillance Research Center, and WHO Collaborating Center for HIV Surveillance, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman20200209<p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Background</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">The growing supply and prevalence of waterpipe (WP) smoking among Iranian<br />adolescents have become a concern for both families and policymakers. The aim of this study was<br />to determine the factors underlying WP use and also to design an intervention program based on<br />social cognitive theory (SCT) aimed to reduce the demand for WP smoking among male adolescents.<br /></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Methods</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">This quasi‑experimental study involved 189 high‑school students in Kerman, Iran, who<br />were split into two groups, an intervention group and a control group. A validated questionnaire<br />based on SCT constructs was used to collect data. The intervention was performed over four<br />sessions with a focus on preventing WP smoking. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Results</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Before intervention, the lifetime and<br />current‑use prevalence of WP smoking across both groups was 48.5% and 20.2%, respectively.<br />In the intervention group, the most change was related to knowledge score from 10.70 ± 4.38 to<br />16.52 ± 3.89 (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">&lt; 0.0001) and outcome values score from 12.40 ± 3.81 to 13.53 ± 4.23 (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 0.007);<br />however, in the control group, no significant changes were seen in posttest scores. The scores for<br />self‑efficacy (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 0.21), outcome expectations (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 0.09), and environment constructs (</span><span class="fontstyle3">P </span><span class="fontstyle2">= 0.06)<br />did not show any statistically significant changes after the intervention in both groups. Overall, there<br />was no significant difference in the rate of WP smoking after the intervention. </span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0"><strong>Conclusions</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle2">Based<br />on the results of this study, although some construct scores showed significant differences after<br />the intervention, there was no significant change in the prevalence of WP smoking. More effective<br />educational interventions based on this theory but with a greater focus on self‑efficacy and<br />environmental influences may be warranted.<br /></span></p><p><span class="fontstyle0" style="color: #00652e;"><strong>Keywords</strong>: </span><span class="fontstyle3">Adolescent, social cognitive theory, student, waterpipe smoking</span></p>http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2177http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2177/717717973