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Smoking among Aboriginal adults in Sydney, Australia
Author(s) -
Arjunan Punitha,
Poder Natasha,
Welsh Kerry,
Bellear LaVerne,
Heathcote Jeremy,
Wright Darryl,
Millen Elizabeth,
Spinks Mark,
Williams Mandy,
Wen Li Ming
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he15020
Subject(s) - population health , health economics , public health , community health , geography , socioeconomics , environmental health , medicine , demography , sociology , nursing
Issue addressed Tobacco consumption contributes to health disparities among Aboriginal Australians who experience a greater burden of smoking‐related death and diseases. This paper reports findings from a baseline survey on factors associated with smoking, cessation behaviours and attitudes towards smoke‐free homes among the Aboriginal population in inner and southwestern Sydney. Methods A baseline survey was conducted in inner and south‐western Sydney from October 2010 to July 2011. The survey applied both interviewer‐administered and self‐administered data collection methods. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine the factors associated with smoking. Results Six hundred and sixty‐three participants completed the survey. The majority were female (67.5%), below the age of 50 (66.6%) and more than half were employed (54.7%). Almost half were current smokers (48.4%) with the majority intending to quit in the next 6 months (79.0%) and living in a smoke‐free home (70.4%). Those aged 30–39 years (AOR 3.28; 95% CI: 2.06–5.23) and the unemployed (AOR 1.67; 95% CI: 1.11–2.51) had higher odds for current smoking. Participants who had a more positive attitude towards smoke‐free homes were less likely to smoke (AOR 0.79; 95% CI: 0.74‐.85). Conclusions A high proportion of participants were current smokers among whom intention to quit was high. Age, work status and attitudes towards smoke‐free home were factors associated with smoking. So what? The findings address the scarcity of local evidence crucial for promoting cessation among Aboriginal tobacco smokers. Targeted promotions for socio‐demographic subgroups and of attitudes towards smoke‐free homes could be meaningful strategies for future smoking‐cessation initiatives.