Smoking status and associated factors among male Chinese restaurant workers in metropolitan Sydney.
Issue addressed The smoking rate among male Chinese migrants in Australia is higher than among the general population. This study investigated the smoking rate of male Chinese restaurant workers in metropolitan Sydney, and explored factors associated with smoking and quitting. Methods A self-administered questionnaire survey was completed by Chinese workers in selected Chinese restaurants in metropolitan Sydney from October-December 2012. Eighty-nine Chinese restaurants were approached and 54 (61%) took part in the study. The questionnaire asked participants about their smoking status, knowledge of and attitudes to smoking and quitting as well as socio-demographic information. Multivariable logistic regression was built to assess the associated factors. Results Of the 382 participants who completed the survey, 171 (45%) were current smokers and 50% of current smokers wanted to quit smoking. Participants who spoke Mandarin, had lower English proficiency, did not realise environmental smoke harms children, did not prefer a smoke-free environment or had more than 50% of relatives or friends who smoked were more likely to be current smokers. Participants who were aged 18-29 years, did not understand the benefits of quitting smoking or did not prefer a smoke-free environment were less likely to want to quit. Conclusions Nearly 50% of male Chinese restaurant workers surveyed in this study were current smokers. Key factors associated with the participants' smoking or quitting status are: aged 18-29 years; speaking Mandarin; lower English literacy; and not knowing the dangers of smoking. So what? Tobacco control programs targetted at male Chinese restaurant workers that raise awareness of the harm caused by smoking and the benefits of quitting smoking are required to enhance intention to quit smoking within this population.
Health Promotion Unit, Sydney Local Health District, Level 9 North, KGV Building, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
Wei
W
Jiang
Health Promotion Service, Directorate of Planning, Population Health and Equity, GPO Box 1614, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia.
Brenda
B
Leung
Health Promotion Service, Directorate of Planning, Population Health and Equity, GPO Box 1614, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia.
Nancy
N
Tam
Health Promotion Unit, Sydney Local Health District, Level 9 North, KGV Building, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
Huilan
H
Xu
Health Promotion Unit, Sydney Local Health District, Level 9 North, KGV Building, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
Suzanne
S
Gleeson
Health Promotion Unit, Sydney Local Health District, Level 9 North, KGV Building, Missenden Road, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia.
Li Ming
LM
Wen
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002681:China / Q000208:ethnology; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations; D012147:Restaurants; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult