Correlates of home smoking bans among Mexican-Americans.
OBJECTIVE
This study examines the individual and environmental correlates of home smoking bans among a population-based sample of Mexican-Americans. Design. A telephone survey on tobacco use and home policies was conducted using stratified, random sampling of listed phone numbers.


METHODS
Surveys were completed by telephone in San Diego, California.


METHODS
The sample consisted of San Diego adult residents of Mexican descent (N=1103).


METHODS
The interview included questions on home rules regarding smoking in the household and a number of potential correlates, based on the Behavioral Ecological Model (BEM). This model emphasizes the influence of family, social, and cultural factors on health behaviors.


RESULTS
Overall, 90.6% of all respondents reported a ban on smoking in the home. Multivariate analyses indicated that home bans on smoking are more likely among individuals that do not smoke, live with children, are more acculturated to U.S. society, report greater aversion to ETS, and/or report more social pressure against indoor smoking. In contrast, smoking bans are less likely among Mexican Americans who live with smokers.


CONCLUSIONS
Individual and environmental factors play a protective role by increasing the likelihood of smoking bans in the home of Mexican-descent individuals. These factors should be considered for the design of interventions to sustain and promote the adoption of smoking bans in the home among this and other populations.
Martinez-Donate
Ana P
AP
Center for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Health, Graduate School of Public Health, San Diego State University, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 230, San Diego, CA 92123, USA. amartinez@projects.sdsu.edu
Hovell
Melbourne F
MF
Hofstetter
C Richard
CR
González-Pérez
Guillermo J
GJ
Adams
Marc A
MA
Kotay
Anu
A
D000069:Acculturation; D000328:Adult; D002140:California; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017058:Mexican Americans; D012907:Smoking; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*
D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution