MULTIVARIATE PROFILE OF SMOKING IN SOUTHEAST-ASIAN MEN - A BIOCHEMICALLY VERIFIED ANALYSIS

Background. Cigarette smoking prevalence rates among Southeast Asian m ales are among the highest reported in comparison with other ethnic ma le groups in the United States. The objective of this study is to prof ile current smokers, former smokers, and never smokers among Southeast Asian males, based on subject characteristics. Methods. Southeast Asi an (Cambodian, Laotian, and Vietnamese) males residing in the Greater Columbus, Ohio, area were surveyed, utilizing culturally sensitive ins truments and interviewers, with respect to demographic and acculturati on variables. All subjects were biochemically verified by collecting a saliva sample at the time of the interviews. Results. Those Southeast Asian males who quit smoking tended to be older, employed, more assim ilated into the U.S. culture, and of Cambodian ethnicity. The current smokers, relative to never smokers, tended to be older, not in the lab or force, traditionally oriented to their native culture, less educate d, and of Laotian or Vietnamese ethnicity. Conclusions. Specific strat egies for smoking cessation programs would indicate more intense, and possibly different, efforts be directed at Southeast Asian males of La otian and Vietnamese ethnicity who are younger, unemployed and less as similated into the US. culture. On the other hand, smoking prevention programs would target those individuals who are at highest risk of smo king. (C) 1997 Academic Press.