Between a rock and a hard place: Smoking trends in a Manitoba First Nation

The purpose of this study is to estimate and compare smoking prevalence over two time periods in a Manitoba First Nation community.

Data fromtwo independent Diabetes Screening Studies in Sandy Bay First Nation, collected in 2002/2003 (n = 482) and 2011/2012 (n = 596),were used. Crude prevalence of current and ever smoking as well as current smoke exposure was estimated. Change over time was tested using a χ² statistic.

The crude prevalence of current smoking was 74.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 70.1, 78.0) in 2002/2003 and 80.0% (95% CI: 76.8, 83.2) in 2011/2012. The crude prevalence of ever smoking was 83.0% in 2002/2003 and 91.4% in 2011/2012. The prevalence of both current smoking status and ever smoking were significantly higher in 2011/2012 compared to 2002/2003 (p = 0.020 and p < 0.001 respectively). Among participants who were not current smokers, 58.5% (95% CI: 49.6, 67.4) and 76.5% (95% CI: 68.9, 84.1) reported at least one person who smoked in the home in 2002/2003 and 2011/2012 respectively (p = 0.003). In 2011/2012, 96.5% (95% CI: 94.8, 98.2) of those who reported having any children under the age of 18 living in the home were either a current smoker and/or reported that someone else smoked in the home.

Public health and policy initiatives are needed to address the increase in smoking prevalence in the study community.