Intervention to reduce adolescent hookah pipe use and satisfy basic psychological needs

Background: Hookah pipe use is a public health concern and threat to adolescents' health. self-determination theory asserts that satisfaction of basic psychological needs (BPN) will contribute to adolescents developing optimally. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to design an intervention to reduce adolescent hookah pipe use and satisfy their BPN. Methods: A modified delphi approach was implemented using a two-phased approach. Phase 1 included reviews and empirical research that formed part of the needs analysis. Phase 2 was the development of the intervention in collaboration with stakeholders from academia, policy and practice (n = 25). The stakeholders formed the sample for this study. Phase 1 informed phase 2. Phase 2 was implemented through a 4-hour workshop with the stakeholders. The workshop was audio recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Principal Results: The results indicated that a holistic four-pronged approach focusing on (1) the hookah pipe user, (2) the family, (3) after school recreation activities and (4) the teacher and community was needed as a model to intervene in adolescent hookah pipe use and satisfy their BPN. The intervention was described using the RE-AIM framework which considers reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation and maintenance of the intervention. An intervention has been cocreated by the researchers and the stakeholders. Conclusions: This intervention is valuable because it can support the healthy development of adolescents by reducing hookah pipe use, ease the pressure on health systems, raise awareness and potentially serve as a preventative measure for younger children who may want to experiment. Furthermore, it provides opportunities for families, school and community structures to encourage satisfaction of BPN.