title: Smoking prevalence, its determinants and short-term health implications in the Australian Defence Force.
abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of smoking, identify the effects of deployment on smoking behavior and risk factors for smoking, and determine the short-term health outcomes associated with smoking in Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel. Participants were randomly sampled from ADF members who deployed to the Solomon Islands between 2003 and 2005 and from a nondeployed comparison group. In total, 435 of 995 (44%) eligible individuals completed the study questionnaires. The prevalence of current smoking was highest in those who had completed less formal education and those who served in the Navy. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of current or former smokers smoked more while on overseas deployment. Current smokers were more likely to report current wheeze, shortness of breath, and persistent cough compared with nonsmokers. The ADF should continue to address cigarette smoking through its health promotion and health review programs and implement activities to reduce cigarette smoking on deployment.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Military and Veterans' Health, Level 2, 122 Frome St., University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia 5005, Australia.
authors.forename: Christopher A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Barton
authors.forename: Annabel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: McGuire
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Waller
authors.forename: Susan A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Treloar
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McClintock
authors.forename: Alexander C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: McFarlane
authors.forename: Cate
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: D'Este
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008542:Melanesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult