Socioepidemiology of cigarette smoking among Cambodian Americans in Long Beach, California.

We examined the prevalence of cigarette smoking among Cambodian Americans in Long Beach, California. A stratified random sample of 1,414 adult respondents was selected from 15 census tracts with high concentrations of Cambodian Americans. The prevalence of current smokers was 13.0%; the sex-specific prevalence of smoking was 24.4% for men and 5.4% for women. The mean age of the sample was 50.5 years; about 60% of the respondents were women. The survey response rate was 90.5% among households in which respondents self-identified as Cambodian American, and at least one person completed the survey. Significant covariates of current smoking were gender, age, education, marital status, and health status. The prevalence of smoking among Cambodian men was higher than among other males in California. Culturally-tailored interventions should consider demographic characteristics of the target population as well as the high level of respect given to religion, elders, and peers.

Sociocultural determinants of tobacco use among Cambodian Americans.

The objectives of this study included the following: obtaining qualitative information on tobacco use among Cambodian Americans, identifying cultural factors that influence tobacco use and acquiring information for the development of effective smoking prevention and cessation strategies. Data were collected by using demographic and behavioral questionnaires and focus group interviews. A total of 14 focus group interviews that covered cultural practices associated with smoking were administered. Statistical analyses included univariate frequency distributions and cross-tabulations. The subjects (n = 119) were Cambodian American volunteers who participated in social services programs offered by a community service organization. All subjects were 18 years of age or older and resided in the city of Long Beach. The principal outcomes measured were cigarette smoking and tobacco use. Other variables included reasons for smoking, traditional uses of tobacco, stress factors related to smoking and the perceived health effects of smoking. Predisposing, reinforcing and enabling factors associated with tobacco-use behaviors included peer group influences, smoking adopted as a coping method, tobacco used for medicinal purposes and smoking practiced within cultural traditions. The frequency of smoking was four times higher among males than among females. Smokers (n = 29) in comparison with non-smokers (n = 90) tended to be men (79% versus 33%), not married (68% versus 49%) and unemployed (79% versus 54%), and had attained somewhat lower levels of education. The role of cultural factors needs to be considered when designing appropriate smoking cessation strategies for Cambodian Americans.