The influence of discrimination on smoking cessation among Latinos.
BACKGROUND
Although studies have shown a cross-sectional link between discrimination and smoking, the prospective influence of discrimination on smoking cessation has yet to be evaluated. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to determine the influence of everyday and major discrimination on smoking cessation among Latinos making a quit attempt.


METHODS
Participants were 190 Spanish speaking smokers of Mexican Heritage recruited from the Houston, TX metropolitan area who participated in the study between 2009 and 2012. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to evaluate the associations of everyday and major discrimination with smoking abstinence at 26 weeks post-quit.


RESULTS
Most participants reported at least some everyday discrimination (64.4%), and at least one major discrimination event (56%) in their lifetimes. Race/ethnicity/nationality was the most commonly perceived reason for both everyday and major discrimination. Everyday discrimination was not associated with post-quit smoking status. However, experiencing a greater number of major discrimination events was associated with a reduced likelihood of achieving 7-day point prevalence smoking abstinence, OR=.51, p=.004, and continuous smoking abstinence, OR=.29, p=.018, at 26 weeks post-quit.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings highlight the high frequency of exposure to discrimination among Latinos, and demonstrate the negative impact of major discrimination events on a smoking cessation attempt. Efforts are needed to attenuate the detrimental effects of major discrimination events on smoking cessation outcomes.
The University of Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health, United States; The UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, United States. Electronic address: Darla.Kendzor@UTSouthwestern.edu.
Darla E
DE
Kendzor
The University of Texas Health Science Center, School of Public Health, United States; The UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, United States.
Michael S
MS
Businelle
The University of Houston, College of Education, United States.
Lorraine R
LR
Reitzel
The University of Texas, School of Social Work, United States.
Yessenia
Y
Castro
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Health Disparities Research, United States.
Jennifer I
JI
Vidrine
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Health Disparities Research, United States.
Carlos A
CA
Mazas
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Behavioral Science, United States.
Paul M
PM
Cinciripini
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Health Disparities Research, United States.
Cho Y
CY
Lam
The Catholic University of America, Department of Psychology, United States.
Claire E
CE
Adams
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Health Disparities Research, United States.
Virmarie
V
Correa-Fernández
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Health Disparities Research, United States.
Miguel Ángel
MÁ
Cano
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Department of Health Disparities Research, United States.
David W
DW
Wetter
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico / Q000208:ethnology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011287:Prejudice / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
Discrimination; Ethnicity; Latinos; Smoking cessation