title: Epidemiology, attitudes and perceptions toward cigarettes and hookah smoking amongst adults in Jordan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of this study are to assess cigarette and hookah smoking rates amongst adult population in Jordan and to determine predictors of smoking status. Selected beliefs, perceptions and attitudes toward cigarettes and hookah smoking were also assessed.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted in five regional governorates of Jordan through face-to-face interviews on a random sample of adult population aged 18-79 years. Data was collected using a piloted questionnaire based on the Global Adult Tobacco Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall prevalence of cigarette smoking in our sample (869) was 59.1 % amongst males and 23.3 % amongst females, while the overall prevalence of hookah smoking was 18.9 % amongst males and 23.1 % amongst females. Leisure and imitation were the most commonly reported reasons for smoking. Regardless of smoking status, people were aware of health risks associated smoking and also had negative perceptions toward smoking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smoking rates for both genders have reached alarmingly high rates in Jordan. There is an urgent need for a comprehensive national programme to target the country's growing burden of smoking. Suggestions on leisure time activities should be included in such programmes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, Mutah University, Mutah, 61710, Karak, Jordan. mabuhelalah@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Munir Ahmad
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Abu-Helalah
authors.affiliation: Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
authors.forename: Hussam Ahmad
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Alshraideh
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Mutah University, Mutah, Jordan.
authors.forename: Ala-Aldeen Ahmad
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Al-Serhan
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Mutah University, Mutah, Jordan.
authors.forename: Adel Issa
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Nesheiwat
authors.affiliation: Karak Teaching Hospital, Karak, Jordan.
authors.forename: Moh'd
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Da'na
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Nursing, Mutah University, Mutah, Jordan.
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Al-Nawafleh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D062789:Tobacco Products / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adult; Cigarettes; Hookah; Jordan; Smoking