The recreational inhalation of N 2 O “whippits” among college students at a Saudi University

Prevalence, patterns, and perceived harm

Bibliographic Data

ID21605406
AuthorsRufaidah Dabbagh (0000-0002-6136-6810, King Saud University, corresponding author), Faisal Alhussaini (King Saud University), Alwaleed Binshaya (King Saud University), Mishari Alzoubi (King Saud University), Abdullah Alyamani (King Saud University), Omar Abdulghani (King Saud University), Abdullah Alsalboukh (King Saud University)
Year2024
Volume31
Issue6
Pages688-696
Publication date2024-11-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueDrugs Education Prevention and Policy (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0968-7637 • E-ISSN: 1465-3370
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09687637.2023.2277661
OpenAlexW4388290104
LanguageEN
References cited48

Background Recreational nitrous oxide (N2O) inhalation is a growing trend among young adults, but few studies have explored its prevalence. We aimed to measure the prevalence of recreational N2O inhalation among Saudi university students, its perceived harm, as well its association with gender, college type and use of tobacco and alcohol.Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students at King Saud University, Riyadh, in September, 2022. Self-administered questionnaires asked about knowing someone who inhaled N2O, awareness of whippits (cream charger bulbs), its recreational use, and perceived side effects.Results A total of 720 students participated (response rate = 82%). About 13.3% of the students heard about N2O, 15.7% knew someone who inhaled N2O recreationally, 7.9% ever inhaled it (8.3% women, and 7.5% men), and 36.8% thought it had no negative health effects. Whippits were the most common mode inhaled. Being a health-college student increased the odds for lifetime recreational inhalation by 97% (AOR = 1.97; 95% CI = 1.10, 3.55), while hookah use increased the odds around three-fold (AOR = 3.27; 95% CI = 1.01, 10.63).Conclusion Saudi university students have a low perception of harm toward recreational N2O inhalation and are experimenting with it, with greater odds for use among healthy college students. Raising community awareness about this behavior is needed

Environmental health · Harm · Inhalation · Population · Psychiatry · Recreation · Recreational Drug · Smoking prevalence · Sociology · Air Quality and Health Impacts · Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Research · Demography · Medicine · Psychology · Restraint-Related Deaths · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOI