Qualitative Roswell
Park Cancer Institute analysis evaluates attitudes toward stopping smoking
Newswise, September 14, 2015 — Significant
differences in attitudes toward smoking cessation are reported between two
generations of smokers in Northern Appalachia in new research from Roswell Park
Cancer Institute (RPCI).
The qualitative study about beliefs,
attitudes and experiences of current and former smokers in Northern Appalachian
communities, published online ahead of print in the Journal of
Community Health, contributes novel information about smoking cessation.
“This novel study offers a better
understanding of the perspectives of younger and older, current and former
smokers in Northern Appalachia and will inform improvements to relevant
cessation interventions.
“Ultimately, the goal is to improve the
health status among this underserved and at-risk population,” says Elisa
Rodriguez, PhD, lead author of the study and Assistant Professor of Oncology in
the Office of Cancer Health Disparities Research and the Center For
Personalized Medicine at RPCI.
Northern Appalachia contains 14 New York
state counties, including Chautauqua County.
This region is designated as a medically
underserved area. Participants were recruited from three small towns within
Chautauqua County where the smoking rate, at 25.3%, is much higher than the New
York state average.
Six focus groups with 54 participants total
were stratified by two age groups: (a) 18–39 years old and (b) 40 years and
older. Among the participants, 50% had less than a high school education; 39%
were Medicaid recipients; and more than 60% reported household incomes of less
than $15,000. Overall, 83% reported being a current smoker and smoking status
did not differ by age group.
This study found that young smokers
continue to report less worry and less recognition of the difficulty of
quitting smoking. Younger smokers also reported no desire to be approached
about their tobacco use within a discussion of an addictive health problem that
requires assistance.
Conversely, participants age 40 and older
more readily acknowledged the health risks of smoking and had a greater
interest in quitting assistance.
Other results include:
• On the role of government and tobacco companies in smoking: Participants ages 18–39 acknowledged their role in quitting smoking yet they also stated the perception that the tobacco companies profited from their habit. Participants in the 40+ age group blamed the government for not protecting them from tobacco companies or addiction.
• Behavior and practices with the use of social media and the Internet: Social media use was common among both age groups. Neither age group discussed the use of the Internet for health-related purposes.
• Automated calling with quit smoking messages: Both age groups expressed limited receptivity to receiving automated calls with tips on quitting smoking.
• Attitudes toward media and public service announcements regarding smoking cessation: The 18–39 age group was familiar with New York State Smokers’ Quitline commercials and talked about how those advertisements influenced their willingness to stop smoking. Although identical questions were asked of both groups, the 40+ age group did not discuss or offer commentary about the commercials.
• On the role of government and tobacco companies in smoking: Participants ages 18–39 acknowledged their role in quitting smoking yet they also stated the perception that the tobacco companies profited from their habit. Participants in the 40+ age group blamed the government for not protecting them from tobacco companies or addiction.
• Behavior and practices with the use of social media and the Internet: Social media use was common among both age groups. Neither age group discussed the use of the Internet for health-related purposes.
• Automated calling with quit smoking messages: Both age groups expressed limited receptivity to receiving automated calls with tips on quitting smoking.
• Attitudes toward media and public service announcements regarding smoking cessation: The 18–39 age group was familiar with New York State Smokers’ Quitline commercials and talked about how those advertisements influenced their willingness to stop smoking. Although identical questions were asked of both groups, the 40+ age group did not discuss or offer commentary about the commercials.
“The findings from this study add both
novel and important information about the beliefs, attitudes and experiences of
current and former smokers living in an understudied area of Northern
Appalachia. Future studies should further explore the application of innovative
smoking cessation interventions within Appalachian communities that make use of
social media and other novel technologies,” adds Dr. Rodriguez.
Martin Mahoney, MD, PhD, senior author of
the research and Professor of Oncology in the Department of Medicine at RPCI,
adds, “This study demonstrated that the Appalachian population confronts
increased health risks associated with tobacco use when compared to many of
their national counterparts.
“Therefore, it is essential to focus
efforts on preventive health care programs with an emphasis on tobacco control
and smoking cessation.”
The study is entitled “Perspectives on
Smoking Cessation in Northern Appalachia.”
This work has been supported in part by The Western New York Cancer Coalition Center to Reduce Disparities Grant from the National Cancer Institute’s Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (award no. U54CA153598). The authors have no conflicts of interests to declare.
This work has been supported in part by The Western New York Cancer Coalition Center to Reduce Disparities Grant from the National Cancer Institute’s Center to Reduce Cancer Health Disparities (award no. U54CA153598). The authors have no conflicts of interests to declare.
The mission of Roswell Park Cancer
Institute (RPCI) is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1898,
RPCI is one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National
Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only
facility with this designation in Upstate New York.
The Institute is a member of the
prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s
leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national
and international collaborative programs.
For more information, visit www.roswellpark.org,
call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email askrpci@roswellpark.org. Follow Roswell Park on
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