title: Health Beliefs About Tobacco With Betel Nut Use Among Adults in Yap, Micronesia.
abstract: Tobacco use is high among Pacific Islanders in general and little tobacco research has been done in Yap, Micronesia. This study aimed to explore perceptions of tobacco use coupled with chewing of betel (areca) nut among adults in Yap using self-administered questionnaires based on the health belief model. A Likert scale (ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree or very unlikely to very likely) was used to measure susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy among individuals aged 18 and older. Older adults felt quitting tobacco or betel nut use would be significantly more difficult because of social reasons and withdrawal problems. Most participants felt susceptible to tobacco-related diseases. These findings possibly indicate a receptive attitude toward any future tobacco use prevention and intervention program. Older Yapese population would need to be especially targeted. Health promotion programs should target smoking behaviors and risk reduction.
authors.affiliation: Yap Comprehensive Cancer Control Program, Colonia, Yap, Federated States of Micronesia.
authors.forename: Aileen Rosogmar Castaritas
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Tareg
authors.affiliation: Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA nmodeste@llu.edu.
authors.forename: Naomi N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Modeste
authors.affiliation: Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Jerry W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Hildemar Dos
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Santos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001114:Areca; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008849:Micronesia; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014026:Nicotiana
keywords: Betel nut; Micronesia; Yap; health beliefs; tobacco