title: Characteristics associated with smoking in a Hispanic sample.
abstract: Although general smoking prevalence has declined, similar declines have not been observed in some underserved populations. For example, groups such as ethnic minorities, individuals with psychiatric diagnoses, those with a history of substance use, and weight concerned smokers have not shown comparable reductions. The goal of this study is to create a profile of Hispanic smokers in the El Paso/Juárez area and identify predictors of smoking. In this cross-sectional study, these variables were assessed in 160 English-speaking Hispanic volunteers. Participants completed measures of tobacco use, nicotine dependence, weekly alcohol consumption, acculturation, depressive symptomatology, weight concern, and drug use. Expired carbon monoxide and body composition were also assessed. Participants were light smokers with low levels of nicotine dependence and expired carbon monoxide, a significant number of past quit attempts, and limited use of cessation aids. Significant characteristics associated with smoking included male gender, use of mental health services, increasing number of drinks per week, and lifetime use of illicit drugs. These findings suggest substance use and psychiatric comorbidity are associated with smoking in this population and may be barriers to quitting. These factors should be considered in developing culturally-sensitive tobacco cessation interventions for Hispanic smokers, particularly those residing on the U.S./México border.
authors.affiliation: University of Miami, Department of Psychology, P.O. Box 248185, Miami, FL 33124, USA. drodriguez@psy.miami.edu
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rodríguez-Esquivel
authors.forename: Theodore V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Blow
authors.forename: Michelle R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Resor
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult