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Cigarette smoking among native and foreign-born African Americans
G King1, A P Polednak, R Bendel
1Department of Biobehavioral Health, Penn State University, University Park 16801, USA.
Annals of Epidemiology
|May 20, 1999
Summary
Native-born African Americans are more likely to smoke than foreign-born individuals. Smoking prevalence varied by education and income for native-born but not foreign-born groups.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Sociology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Smoking remains a significant public health concern within the African American community.
- Understanding disparities in smoking behavior is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Nativity is an under-examined factor influencing health behaviors among African Americans.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare current smoking status and daily cigarette consumption between foreign-born and native-born African Americans.
- To investigate the influence of demographic and socioeconomic status (SES) factors on smoking behaviors within these groups.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the 1990-1994 National Health Interview Surveys, encompassing 16,738 African Americans (18-64 years).
- Employed cross-tabulations and weighted multiple logistic regression (MLR) for statistical analysis.
- Analyzed data using Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and Survey Data Analysis (SUDAAN).
Main Results:
- Native-born African Americans exhibited a significantly higher likelihood of being current smokers (OR=2.7, p<0.001) compared to foreign-born individuals.
- For native-born African Americans, smoking prevalence decreased with higher education and income; this association was not observed in the foreign-born group.
- Women in both groups were less likely to smoke than men; no significant differences in daily cigarette consumption were found between native-born and foreign-born groups.
Conclusions:
- Findings highlight the social diversity within the African American population and the differential impact of social/cultural factors on smoking behavior based on nativity.
- Researchers should consider differentiating smoking status by nativity, especially in areas with significant foreign-born black populations.
- Targeted smoking prevention and cessation programs are essential for both native-born and foreign-born African Americans, acknowledging their distinct behavioral patterns.