Differences in smoking behavior and attitudes among Puerto Rican, Dominican, and non-Latino white caregivers of children with asthma

Abstract

PURPOSE: No studies have examined the differences in smoking attitudes and behavior between Dominicans (DRs) and Puerto Ricans (PRs). Identification of pretreatment differences is important for cultural adaptation of evidenced-based smoking cessation treatments. DESIGN: Secondary analysis. SETTING/INTERVENTION: Three home visits for asthma education and smoking cessation. SUBJECTS: Caregivers who smoke and have a child with asthma: DRs (n = 30), PRs (n = 67), and non-Latino whites (n = 128; NLWs). MEASURES: Baseline assessment of psychosocial variables. ANALYSES: Controlled for age, education, and acculturation. RESULTS: Compared with DRs, PRs were more acculturated, more nicotine dependent, less motivated and confident to quit, and identified more pros of smoking (all p < .05). Compared with NLWs, PRs were less likely to be employed, smoked fewer cigarettes per day, and had lower education, greater depressed mood, greater pros and cons of smoking, less social support, and higher child asthma morbidity (all p < .05). Compared with NLWs, DRs were less nicotine dependent, more confident to quit, and less likely to live with a smoker; reported greater cons of smoking and greater stress; and were more likely to have a household smoking ban (DRs 60% vs. NLWs 33.6%). Only 3.3% of DRs were precontemplators vs. 16.4% (PRs) and 10.9% (NLWs). CONCLUSIONS: PRs appear to have more factors associated with risk of smoking treatment failure; DRs appear to have more protective factors. Examination of the role of these smoking attitudes as potential moderators and mediators of smoking behavior are needed to guide the cultural adaptation of evidenced-based treatments.