Funded by: NIOSH; Grant Number: R01 0H03915
David J. Lee, PhD1, Lora E. Fleming1, Kristopher L. Arheart1, William G. LeBlanc1, Katherine Chung-Bridges1, Alberto J. Caban, MPH1 and Sharon L. Christ, MS2,
(1)Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016069 (R-669), Miami, FL 33143, (2)Odum Institute for Research in Social Science, Manning Hall, CB#3355, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3355, Chapel Hill, 27599-3355
Objective: Among workers in dusty occupations, tobacco use is particularly important due to the potential synergistic effects of occupational exposures (e.g. asbestos) in causing disease. This study explored the prevalence of smoking and the reported smoking cessation discussion among high risk US worker groups.
Methods: The 2000 National Health Interview Survey Cancer Control Module was used to determine, among US workers who visited a physician in the previous 12 months, the prevalence of: a) Did the physician ask if the worker smoked; and b) If they smoked, was the worker advised to stop smoking by the physician. Data analysis was performed with adjustments for sample weights.
Results: The average prevalence of current smoking was 25% in all workers; 63% reported visiting a healthcare provider during the past 12 months. Nearly half (48%) reported being asked by their physician if they smoked (range 21%-56% among 38 occupations). Sixty-seven percent (67%) of smokers were advised by their physician to stop smoking (range 53%-79%). Workers with an expected increased occupational exposure to dusty work environments (including asbestos, silica, particulates, etc) and high smoking prevalence had relatively low reported discussions about smoking cessation, including: Farm workers (39% overall smoking prevalence; 54% told to quit), Construction and extractive trades (41%; 57%), and Machine operators/tenderers (44%; 59%). The relatively low reported prevalence of physician-initiated smoking cessation discussion, particularly among workers with potentially synergistic occupational exposures and high current smoking prevalence needs to be addressed through educational campaigns targeting physicians.
Abstract ID#: 7034
Password: 821129
Prefered presentation format: No preference
Title: The Prevalence of Physician Smoking Cessation Advice among High Risk US Worker Groups: The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
Submitter's E-mail Address: dlee@med.miami.edu
Learning Objectives: Document the percentage of physicians who inquire about smoking and advise smokers to quit smoking in different US worker groups
Related Web Page: http://www.rsmas.miami.edu/groups/niehs/niosh/index.htm
Keywords Surveillance
Presenting Author
David J. Lee, PhD
Associate Professor
Epidemiology and Public Health
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
P.O. Box 016069 (R-669)
Miami, FL 33143
Email: dlee@med.miami.edu
Education: