Views on electronic cigarette use in tobacco screening and cessation in an Alaska Native healthcare setting.
BACKGROUND
American Indian (AI) and Alaska Native (AN) communities confront some of the highest rates of tobacco use and its sequelae.


METHODS
This formative research project sought to identify the perspectives of 41 stakeholders (community members receiving care within the healthcare system, primary care providers, and tribal healthcare system leaders) surrounding the use of pharmacogenetics toward tobacco cessation treatment in the setting of an AI/AN owned and operated health system in south central Alaska.


RESULTS
Interviews were held with 20 adult AI/AN current and former tobacco users, 12 healthcare providers, and 9 tribal leaders. An emergent theme from data analysis was that current tobacco screening and cessation efforts lack information on electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use. Perceptions of the use of e-cigarettes role in tobacco cessation varied.


CONCLUSIONS
Preventive screening for tobacco use and clinical cessation counseling should address e-cigarette use. Healthcare provider tobacco cessation messaging should similarly address e-cigarettes.
Research Department, Southcentral Foundation, Anchorage, AK, USA; vhiratsuka@scf.cc.
Vanessa Y
VY
Hiratsuka
Research Department, Southcentral Foundation, Anchorage, AK, USA.
Jaedon P
JP
Avey
Department of Bioethics and Humanities, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, USA.
Susan B
SB
Trinidad
Research Department, Southcentral Foundation, Anchorage, AK, USA.
Julie A
JA
Beans
Research Department, Southcentral Foundation, Anchorage, AK, USA.
Renee F
RF
Robinson
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000072957:Alaska Natives / Q000523:psychology*; D001110:Arctic Regions; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000523:psychology*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D000071185:Pharmacogenomic Testing / Q000379:methods; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D020340:Tobacco Use Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
Indians; North America; electronic cigarettes; qualitative research; tobacco use