Objective: To examine the relationship of sociodemographic, clinical and smoking history factors with smoking cessation among older American Indians. Design: Nested cohort study of cigarette smokers in the Strong Heart Study, a longitudinal study of cardiovascular disease among American Indians. Setting: 13 American Indian tribes from Arizona, Oklahoma, and North and South Dakota. Participants: American Indian men and women (N=995), ages 45-74 years, who identified themselves as smokers at the initial Strong Heart Study examination. Measurements and Main Results: Smoking status was ascertained at baseline and four years later. Twenty-one percent of smokers quit during the follow-up period. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the relation between baseline sociodemographic, clinical and smoking history factors and smoking cessation. Factors associated with smoking cessation included older age (odds ratio (OR) 2.0; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3 to 3.4), Arizona regional center (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.4, 3.6), daily cigarette consumption of less than a pack (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.3,3.2), fewer years of smoking cigarettes (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.3,3.7), older age of smoking initiation (17 years or older), (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.1,2.3), and history of diabetes (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.2, 2.4). Factors not associated with smoking cessation included sex, level of education, childhood exposure to tobacco smoking, and a history of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, or respiratory diseases. Conclusion: Several determinants of smoking cessation among older American Indians identified in this study may have important implications for designing appropriate interventions with this special population.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants in this session will be able to: 1) Describe the potential benefits of smoking cessation among older American Indians; 2) List the determinants associated with smoking cessation among older American Indians; and 3)Recognize the importance of tobacco use in American Indian culture and tradition while developing smoking cessation programs that are culturally-sensitive and appropriate.
Keywords: American Indians, Smoking Cessation
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.