Heterogeneity in the smoking behavior of African American women.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the association between sociodemographic variables and smoking behavior patterns of African American women.


METHODS
Six years of data (N=14,903) from the National Health Interview Surveys were analyzed using multiple logistic regression.


RESULTS
African American women in the South were more likely to never smoke and to start smoking later than women in the Northeast. Positive smoking outcomes (never smoking, initiating smoking at later ages, and quitting) were associated with higher education, higher income, and being married.


CONCLUSIONS
Variations among African American women suggest the need for targeting specific subgroups at greater risks to reduce disparities in smoking and smoking-related diseases.
King
Gary
G
The Pennsylvania State University, 315 E. Health and Human Development, University Park, PA 16802, USA. gxk14@psu.edu
Polednak
Anthony
A
Fagan
Pebbles
P
Gilreath
Tamika
T
Humphrey
Ellen
E
Fernander
Anita
A
Bendel
Robert
R
Noubary
Farzad
F
D000328:Adult; D044383:Black People / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019371:Topography, Medical; D014481:United States; D001741:Black or African American