LGBTQ Youth and Young Adult Perspectives on a Culturally Tailored Group Smoking Cessation Program.
BACKGROUND
The prevalence of smoking among LGBTQ youth and young adults (YYAs) is much higher than that of non-LGBTQ young people. The current study explored LGBTQ YYA perceptions of a culturally tailored group smoking cessation counselling program, along with how the intervention could be improved.


METHODS
We conducted focus groups (n = 24) with 204 LGBTQ YYAs in Toronto and Ottawa, Canada. Open-ended questions focused on their feelings, likes and dislikes, concerns and additional ideas for a culturally tailored group cessation counselling intervention. Focus group transcripts were coded thematically and analyzed.


RESULTS
Overall, YYAs were ambivalent towards the concept of a culturally tailored, group cessation counselling program. Although several participants were attracted to the LGBTQ friendly and social benefits of such a program (eg, good support system), many also had concerns. Particularly, the possibility that other group members might trigger them to smoke was a frequently stated issue. Focus group members also noted lack of motivation to attend the group, and that the group program may be inaccessible depending on where and when the program was offered. Several suggestions were made as to how to ameliorate the expressed issues related to inaccessibility or lack of attractiveness.


CONCLUSIONS
This study is among the first to gain the perspectives of LGBTQ YYAs on culturally tailored group cessation strategies in Canada. We identified components of group cessation programs that are both favored and not favored among LGBTQ YYAs, as well as suggestions as to how to make group cessation programs more appealing.


CONCLUSIONS
This study is particularly relevant as smoking cessation programs are one of the most commonly offered and published cessation interventions for the LGBTQ community, yet little is understood in terms of preferences of LGBTQ YYA smokers. Given the disparity in the prevalence of smoking among LGBTQ young people compared to their non-LGBTQ peers, research on effective intervention strategies for this population is needed. Findings from this study can assist practitioners and researchers in designing interventions.
Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, University of Waterloo,Waterloo, Canada.
Neill Bruce
NB
Baskerville
Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, University of Waterloo,Waterloo, Canada.
Alanna
A
Shuh
Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, University of Waterloo,Waterloo, Canada.
Katy
K
Wong-Francq
Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, University of Waterloo,Waterloo, Canada.
Darly
D
Dash
Propel Centre for Population Health Impact, University of Waterloo,Waterloo, Canada.
Aneta
A
Abramowicz
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D006801:Humans; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D000072339:Sexual and Gender Minorities / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D055815:Young Adult