Prevalence and socio-economic correlates of smoking among lone mothers in Australia.
OBJECTIVE
To report smoking prevalence among Australian lone mothers by age and socio-economic group and to examine the extent to which the difference in smoking prevalence between lone mothers and other women is due to socio-economic factors.


METHODS
This was a secondary analysis of data from the 1995 National Health Survey (NHS), which was conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Information was collected from 53,800 respondents using face-to-face interviews. This analysis was limited to single mothers (n=1,184) who had at least one dependent child aged under 15. The outcome measure was smoking status, distinguishing regular smokers from occasional smokers, ex-smokers and never-smokers.


RESULTS
The overall smoking prevalence among lone mothers was 46.3% (Cl 43.5%-49.1%). Lone mothers who were younger, less educated, received government pension/benefits, occupied rental housing or who lived in more disadvantaged areas were more likely to smoke than others. A strong 'lone mother effect' remained after controlling for socio-economic variables. The odds of smoking for lone mothers were 2.4 times greater than for married mothers (95% Cl 2.0-2.9) and twice as large as those for women living alone (95% CI 1.62.4).


CONCLUSIONS
As the prevalence for this population group is considerably higher than the prevalence for other women within each age category, programs to assist lone mothers to quit smoking are a priority for the long-term health of these women and their children. Furthermore, we discuss how policies and interventions that enhance the material conditions and social circumstances of lone mothers can bring about a decline in their smoking prevalence.
Siahpush
Mohammad
M
VicHealth Centre for Tobacco Control, Cancer Control Research Centre, Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria, Carlton. mohammad.siahpush@accv.org.au
Borland
Ron
R
Scollo
Michelle
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D015406:Single Parent / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors