Focus groups of Y-K Delta Alaska Natives: attitudes toward tobacco use and tobacco dependence interventions.
BACKGROUND
Tobacco dependence interventions developed for Alaska Natives are virtually nonexistent. Alaska Natives residing on the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y--K) Delta in southwestern Alaska use a unique form of smokeless tobacco (ST) known as Iqmik. This study employed focus group methodology to explore attitudes toward tobacco use and tobacco dependence interventions among Alaska Natives residing on the Y-K Delta.


METHODS
Twelve focus groups of former and current tobacco users were conducted in four villages in the Y-K Delta. Participants were 35 adults (83% female) and 22 adolescents (27% female). Participants completed a brief demographic and tobacco use history form. Statements from the focus groups were transcribed for content coding and analysis of the major themes.


RESULTS
Use of Iqmik in the villages is thought to be ubiquitous. Y-K Delta Alaska Natives are introduced to Iqmik at a very young age. Iqmik is mostly used and prepared by young Alaska Natives and adult women. There are few perceived adverse health effects of Iqmik or other tobacco use. Although there is interest in stopping, there is a perceived lack of availability of tobacco dependence interventions. The major barriers to preventing the initiation of and stopping tobacco use are the social acceptance and widespread use and availability of tobacco.


CONCLUSIONS
The attitudes toward tobacco and identified barriers to stopping will be useful in developing tobacco dependence interventions for Alaska Natives.
Renner
Caroline C
CC
Yukon--Kuskokwim Health Corporation, Bethel, AK, USA.
Patten
Christi A
CA
Enoch
Carrie
C
Petraitis
John
J
Offord
Kenneth P
KP
Angstman
Sarah
S
Garrison
Andrew
A
Nevak
Caroline
C
Croghan
Ivana T
IT
Hurt
Richard D
RD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000413:Alaska; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D044382:Population Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D020340:Tobacco Use Cessation / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy