Learning Objectives: understand the profile of tobacco use among low-income family populations
Abstract:
Problem/Objective: Low-income individuals are one of the most vulnerable populations in our society, but their profile of tobacco use is less clear. This study is to develop the profile of tobacco use and implement/evaluate brief treatment interventions among low-income family populations.
Methods: This door-to-door visit survey recruited a total of 382 low-income populations in Columbus, Georgia between August 2001 and February 2002. Participants must be at least 10 years old and be a resident of Columbus Public Housing Authority.
Results: The baseline sample (n=382) had a mean age of 33.03 years, mean education of 10.47, 78% were female, 97.1% of AA, 34.1% were ever used drugs, and 68.7% were unemployed. Tobacco users (43.3%) were less likely than non-tobacco users to consider themselves healthy (67% vs. 79%, P<0.036) and overweight (29.1% vs. 38.4%, P<0.057), were more likely to drink alcohol beverages (26.1% vs. 9.4%, P<0.000) and use illegal drugs (22.5% vs. 11.7%, P<0.000) than non-tobacco users. Although not statistically significant, tobacco users tended to have less exercise, sleep more, and less ER visit than did non-tobacco users. In regression analysis, Body Mass Index (BMI) (OR=0.729, P<0.006), ER visit (OR=3.705, P<0.046), and drug use (OR=4.416, P<0.015) were statistically significant in predicting current tobacco use status.
Discussion: Tobacco prevalence rate (43.3%) in this study is almost twice the prevalence in the state of Georgia. The results demonstrate that tobacco use status appears to be significantly associated with unhealthy behaviors among low-income populations. More research efforts focusing on tobacco and poverty are greatly needed.
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