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Gender differences in smoking cessation services received among veterans
Scott E Sherman1, Steven S Fu, Anne M Joseph
1VA Center for the Study of Healthcare Provider Behavior, Sepulveda, California 91343, USA. ssherman@ucla.edu
Summary
Female veterans are less likely to receive nicotine patches for smoking cessation, impacting their ability to quit smoking. Targeted interventions are needed to improve treatment access and quit rates for women smokers.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
- Gender Health Disparities
Background:
- Smoking remains a leading preventable cause of death in the U.S.
- Prevalence of smoking among women in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) is 30%.
- This study addresses gender differences in smoking cessation care within the VA system.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare baseline characteristics of male and female smokers in the VA.
- To assess gender differences in the receipt of smoking cessation services.
- To identify factors associated with receiving smoking cessation interventions.
Main Methods:
- A baseline survey of 1,941 smokers (129 women, 1,812 men) across 18/23 VA centers.
- Follow-up at 1 year for 73 women and 1007 men.
- Statistical comparisons using chi-square tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Female smokers were younger, more educated, and less likely to be married than male smokers.
- Women received advice to quit and referrals similarly but were less likely to get nicotine patch prescriptions (OR 0.5).
- One year later, female smokers had lower successful quit rates.
Conclusions:
- Women veterans were less likely to receive nicotine patch prescriptions for smoking cessation.
- Interventions aimed at increasing medication use for female smokers are crucial.
- Improving access to cessation aids may enhance quit rates for women.