Prevalence and predictors of smoking behavior among Vietnamese men living in California

Abstract

Vietnamese populations in Vietnam and the United States have a high prevalence of smoking. The associations among behavioral risk factors, acculturation, and smoking among the Vietnamese population living in the United States are not well documented. The present study aimed to identify the factors associated with smoking behavior among Vietnamese men living in Santa Clara County, California. A cross-sectional random-digit-dialed telephone survey was conducted. The sampling frame consisted of 27 Vietnamese surnames from the Santa Clara County telephone directory. A total of 660 adult respondents were interviewed to collect information on general health status, alcohol and tobacco use, HIV/AIDS, sexual behavior, injury control, hypertension, cholesterol screening, and acculturation. Of the 660 adults interviewed, 364 (55.2%) were male and 296 (44.8%) were female. Among males, 31.9% were current smokers, and among females, only one woman reported smoking. Univariate analyses revealed that having less than a college education, having poor English language skills, using Vietnamese at home and with friends, being less acculturated, not having a routine physical or blood cholesterol check, and being a binge drinker were significantly associated with an increased likelihood of smoking. Multivariate analysis revealed two independently associated factors: Respondents who were more acculturated were less likely to smoke (OR = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.18-0.83), and those not having cholesterol checked were more likely to smoke (OR = 2.48, 95% CI = 1.30-4.71). Acculturation level was inversely associated with smoking among Vietnamese adult men in Santa Clara County. Other health risk behaviors coexisted with smoking behavior and should be considered in prevention programs.

Smoking prevalence and factors associated with smoking status among Vietnamese in California

“…Vietnamese male current smokers also report more behaviors that may serve as triggers for smoking or relapse (Anda et al, 1990;Leventhal, Ramsey, Brown, LaChance, & Kahler, 2008;Shiffman, 2006), with higher depression symptoms and report of alcohol intake. These findings are consistent with other studies of Vietnamese male current smokers (Chan et al, 2007;Rahman et al, 2005;Wiecha et al, 1998).…”

“…The survey instrument was based on the 2005 California Adult Attitudes and Practice Tobacco Survey, the VCHPP's prior Vietnamese tobacco surveys Jenkins, McPhee, et al, 1997;Lai, McPhee, Jenkins, & Wong, 2000;McPhee et al, 1995), and two other Vietnamese tobacco surveys (Rahman et al, 2005;Wiecha et al, 1998). Survey items were translated into Vietnamese and back translated into English by professional Vietnamese translators with the assistance of VCHPP staff.…”

“…Demographic factors previously found to be related to smoking among Vietnamese populations include lower acculturation (measured by language fluency and preference; Rahman et al, 2005), lower educational level, lack of health insurance, and geographical origin from the south coast of Vietnam (Wiecha et al, 1998). Having less knowledge about the health risks of smoking and more depression symptoms has been associated with current smoking (compared with never smoking; Chan et al, 2007;Wiecha et al).…”

A Social Network Family-Focused Intervention to Promote Smoking Cessation in Chinese and Vietnamese American Male Smokers: A Feasibility Study

“…5,6 While the current smoking prevalence rate among non-Hispanic white males is 21%, 7 recent immigrant or LEP Chinese and Vietnamese men have disproportionately high rates, ranging from 22% to 34% for Chinese men [8][9][10][11] and 25% to 37% for Vietnamese men. [12][13][14] Among LEP immigrants, Vietnamese men (43%) and Chinese men (32%) had the highest and the second highest smoking prevalence rates, respectively, among all Asian subgroups in California. 15 High social acceptability, low quit intention, and low utilization of smoking cessation resources are important challenges facing tobacco control among Asian American men.…”

Psychographic Segments Based on Attitudes about Smoking and Lifestyle among Vietnamese-American Adolescents

“…fornia [5]. Among Vietnamese-American male adolescents in California, 16% reported that they had smoked at some point [6].…”