Smoking and quitting characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women of reproductive age: findings from the Which Way? study

Michelle Kennedy; Eden Barrett; Christina Heris; Amanual Mersha; Catherine Chamberlain; Paul Hussein; Hayley Longbottom; Shanell Bacon; Raglan Maddox

doi:10.26181/21366243.v1

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Smoking and quitting characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women of reproductive age: findings from the Which Way? study

Journal article

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Peer reviewed

Smoking and quitting characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women of reproductive age: findings from the Which Way? study

Michelle Kennedy, Eden Barrett, Christina Heris, Amanual Mersha, Catherine Chamberlain, Paul Hussein, Hayley Longbottom, Shanell Bacon and Raglan Maddox

Medical journal of Australia, Vol.217 (Suppl. 2)

2022

DOI: https://doi.org/10.26181/21366243.v1

PMCID: PMC9545217

PMID: 35842912

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Abstract

Prospective Studies

Tobacco Use Cessation Devices

Cross-Sectional Studies

Humans

General Medicine

Uncategorized

Sampling Studies

Health Services, Indigenous

Community-Based Participatory Research

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander

Female

Aged

Australia

Longitudinal Studies

Smoking

Smoking Cessation

Objective: To describe smoking characteristics, quitting behaviour and other factors associated with longest quit attempt and the use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and stop-smoking medication (SSM) in a population of Indigenous Australian women of reproductive age. Design, setting and participants: A national cross-sectional survey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women aged 16–49 years who were smokers or ex-smokers was conducted online during the period July to October 2020. Main outcome measures: Quitting experience: attempt to cut down, time since last quit attempt, longest period without smoking, attempt to cut down during last quit attempt, any use of NRT and/or SSM. Results: Most of the 428 participating women (302 [70.6%]) reported using an Aboriginal health service. Younger women (16–20-year-olds) smoked fewer cigarettes daily (24/42 [57.1%], 0–5 cigarettes per day), waited longer to smoke after waking (20/42 [47.6%], > 60 minutes after waking), and were categorised as low smoking dependency compared with those aged 35 years and over. One-third of women (153 [35.7%]) had ever used NRT and/or SSM. A greater proportion of older women (35–49-year-olds) had sustained a quit attempt for years (62/149 [45.6%]) and reported trying NRT and/or SSM (78/149 [52.4%]) than women in younger age groups. Quitting suddenly rather than gradually was significantly associated with sustained abstinence (prevalence ratio, 1.27 [95% CI, 1.10–1.48]). Among women who had never used NRT or SSM, most (219/275 [79.6%]) reported reasons for this in the category of attitudes and beliefs. NRT and SSM use was also more likely among women who were confident talking to their doctor about quitting (odds ratio, 2.50 [95% CI, 1.23–5.10]) and those who received most of their information from a health professional (odds ratio, 1.71 [95% CI, 1.11–2.63]). Conclusion: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women want to quit smoking and are making attempts to quit. Quitting suddenly, rather than reducing cigarette consumption, is associated with increased sustained abstinence. Health providers can enable access and uptake of NRT and/or SSM and should recognise that NRT and/or SSM use may change over time. Consistent messaging, frequent offers of smoking cessation support, and access to a range of smoking cessation supports should be provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to enable them to be smoke-free.

Details

Title: Smoking and quitting characteristics of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women of reproductive age: findings from the Which Way? study
Authors/Creators: Michelle Kennedy
Eden Barrett
Christina Heris
Amanual Mersha
Catherine Chamberlain
Paul Hussein
Hayley Longbottom
Shanell Bacon
Raglan Maddox
Publication Details: Medical journal of Australia, Vol.217 (Suppl. 2)
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of AMPCo Pty Ltd.
Number of pages: 13
Grant note: NHMRC Early Career Fellowship: 1158670 National Heart Foundation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award: 102458
Michelle Kennedy is funded by an NHMRC Early Career Fellowship, grant number 1158670. This study was funded by the National Heart Foundation Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award, grant number 102458. The funding bodies were not involved in the conduct of this research. We acknowledge the partnering services and staff for their time and commitment to this long-term project, including the Dhanggan Gudjagang team, Yerin Eleanor Duncan Aboriginal Health Centre, Tamworth Aboriginal Medical Service, Nunyara Aboriginal Health Clinics, and Waminda South Coast Women's Health and Welfare Aboriginal Corporation. We also acknowledge all the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women who contributed to this research project - thank you for sharing your experiences with us, it is our honour to privilege your voices.
Identifiers: 991005621215207891
Murdoch Affiliation: Ngangk Yira Institute for Change
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.252 Smoking Cessation; 1.252.74 Smoking Cessation
Web Of Science research areas: Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
ESI research areas: Clinical Medicine