Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105698

Patricia Nez Henderson, MD, MPH¹, Janette Beals, PhD², Clemma Jacobsen, MS³, and The AI-SUPERPFP Team². (1) Department of Psychiatry, American Indian and Alaska Native Programs, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, 701 St. Joseph Street, Suite 204, Rapid City, SD 57701, 605-348-6100, pnhenderson@bhcaih.org, (2) American Indian and Alaska Native Programs, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, PO Box 6508, Mail Stop F800, Nighthorse Campbell Native Health Building, Aurora, CO 80045-0508, (3) Department of Internal Medicine, University of Washington, 325 Ninth Ave, Box 359780, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, WA 98104

Objective: We describe the prevalence and correlates of cigarette smoking in 2 American Indian tribal groups.

Methods: We performed multinomial logistic regression on data from a population-based, cross-sectional study of Southwest and Northern Plains American Indians aged 15 to 54 years.

Results: We found that 19% of Southwest men, 10% of Southwest women, 49% of Northern Plains men, and 51% of Northern Plains women were current smokers. Male gender and younger age were associated with higher odds of smoking in the Southwest tribe, whereas current or former marriage and less time spent on a reservation were associated with higher odds of smoking in the Northern Plains population. Alcohol consumption was strongly associated with higher odds of smoking in both groups.

Conclusions: Cigarette smoking is a major public health issue among American Indians. Yet correlates and smoking patterns vary among different tribal groups. Each group's unique characteristics should be considered when designing and implementing comprehensive, culturally appropriate interventions in American Indian communities.

Learning Objectives:

1)List correlates of cigarette smoking in two distinct American Indian tribal populations. 2)Recognize the need to consider each American Indian tribe's unique characteristics when designing and implementing culturally sensitive smoking intervention programs in American Indian communities.
• Recognize the importance of the use of ceremonial tobacco in American Indian communities.

Keywords: Tobacco, American Indians

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.