 | The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
|
| The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA |
Michelle Pearl, PhD1, Martin Kharrazi, PhD2, Gerald N. DeLorenze, PhD3, Michelle A. Marzullo, MA1, Dinna J. Domdom4, David Epstein, MA5, and Steve Graham, MPH1. (1) c/o Genetic Disease Branch, Seqouia Foundation, 2151 Berkeley Way, Annex 4, Berkeley, CA 94704, 510-540-2907, mpearl1@dhs.ca.gov, (2) Genetic Disease Branch, State of California Department of Health Services, 2151 Berkeley Way, Annex 4, Berkeley, CA 94704, (3) Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente, 2000 Broadway, Oakland, CA 94612, (4) Sequoia Foundation, 2166-D Avenida De La Playa, La Jolla, CA 92037, (5) Environmental Health Investigations Branch, California Department of Health Services, 1515 Clay Street, Suite 1700, Oakland, CA 94612
Hispanics make up half of California's maternity population, yet little is known about their tobacco exposure during pregnancy. We surveyed 2,829 Hispanic women delivering infants at six hospitals in San Diego County as part of a larger study of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure during pregnancy. Of these women, 828 were born in the U.S. and 2,001 were born outside the U.S., predominantly in Mexico. Birthplace, number of years lived in the U.S., and language spoken at home were studied as measures of acculturation. While less than 4% of Hispanics reported maternal smoking overall, maternal smoking was 4 times more prevalent among U.S.-born Hispanics than foreign-born Hispanics (8% vs. 2%). The differential by nativity status was consistent but less pronounced for partner smoking (16% vs. 9%), ETS exposure (31% vs. 15%), presence of household smokers (24% vs. 14%), and having close friends or family members who smoke (57% vs. 35%). Among foreign-born women, time in the U.S. was related to increased maternal smoking (Odds Ratio=1.1, 95% Confidence Interval [1.0-1.2]) and increased average minutes of ETS exposure during pregnancy (Beta=3.4, p<.001). Compared to Spanish speakers, foreign-born Hispanics who spoke English at home had a higher prevalence of ETS (23% vs. 15%), of living with a smoker (17% vs. 13%), and of having two or more close friends who smoke (14% vs. 11%). Tobacco exposure appears to increase with acculturation among Hispanics in California. Relative to whites, U.S.-born Hispanics still have lower smoking rates but comparable ETS levels according to multiple indicators.
Learning Objectives:
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.