Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER)
This study examined the prevalence and correlates of cigarette smoking among Cambodian Americans in Long Beach, CA, home to the largest community of Cambodians outside Cambodia. Although smoking is believed to be highly prevalent in this population, prevalence data are lacking or incomplete. A stratified random sample of respondents (n = 680) was obtained from census tracts with high concentrations of Cambodian Americans. A cross-sectional survey collected data on demographic characteristics, tobacco use history, quit attempts, and readiness for cessation programs. Cigarette smokers were defined as persons who had smoked 100 cigarettes or more during their lifetime. Smokers (ever-smokers) included quitters and current smokers. The prevalence (%) of ever-smokers was 22.3%; the corresponding sex-specific prevalences were 39.0% and 10.0% for males and females, respectively. The mean age of ever-smokers was 51.5 years (range = 18 to 94 years) and for males and females was 52.8 years and 47.1 years, respectively (p = N.S.). A multivariate logistic regression analysis examined predictors of ever-smoking status. Predictor variables included age, gender, marital status, and education. The odds of ever-smoking were 0.4 times (95% CI = 0.2 - 0.9) lower in the 18 to 40 age group than in the 65 and older age group (reference category) but not significantly different in the 41 to 64 age group. The odds of ever-smoking were 11.9 times (95% CI = 6.6 - 21.4) higher among males than among females. The odds of ever-smoking were 4.4 times (95% CI = 2.2 - 8.8) higher among those with less than a high school education in comparison with those who had higher levels of education. The odds of ever-smoking for married persons were 1.9 times (95% CI = 1.1 - 3.6) higher than for single persons. We concluded that ever-smokers tended to be male, married, have less than a high school education, and be over 40 years of age.
