Diet, Alcohol Use, and Colorectal Cancer Screening among Black Church-goers.

OBJECTIVES: Interventions for colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention among black adults are needed. Connections between CRC screening non-adherence and other health risk behaviors may inform intervention development. METHODS: Associations between red meat (RM) and fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption, at-risk alcohol use, and CRC ever-screening were examined using adjusted logistic regressions among 520 church-going black adults in Houston, Texas, aged >50. RESULTS: In the final adjusted model, being younger, uninsured, eating more RM and engaging in at-risk alcohol use were associated with lower likelihood of CRC ever-screening. CONCLUSIONS: Church-based interventions to increase CRC screening among black adults might capitalize on associations with RM consumption and alcohol use behaviors as part of a broader wellness promotion initiative.

Perceived cessation treatment effectiveness, medication preferences, and barriers to quitting among light and moderate/heavy homeless smokers.

INTRODUCTION: Homeless individuals smoke at disproportionately high rates and quit at disproportionately low rates relative to domiciled smokers. Targeted research is needed to inform future interventions. Socio-demographic characteristics of homeless adults suggest that light smoking may be prevalent, and the relation between smoking level and treatment-related preferences/needs is unknown. The current study addressed these gaps in a sample of homeless smokers. METHODS: Participants (N=237) were homeless adult daily light (1-10 cigarettes per day) and moderate/heavy (>10 cigarettes per day) smokers recruited from a single shelter that offered cessation treatment. Survey items assessed perceived treatment effectiveness, pharmacological intervention preferences, and barriers to quitting smoking. Logistic regressions were used to assess differences in treatment-related factors by smoking level. RESULTS: The prevalence of light smoking (44.7%) was higher than in previously studied samples of domiciled smokers. Relative to moderate/heavy smokers, light smokers smoked for fewer years, had more quit attempts in the last year, and were more likely to smoke menthol cigarettes. They were less likely to believe that medications would give them the greatest chance of quitting and more likely to believe that group counseling would be helpful. Light smokers did not differ from moderate/heavy smokers on specific pharmacological intervention preferences or on perceived barriers to quitting smoking, including craving. CONCLUSIONS: The promotion of pharmacotherapy to address cravings may be necessary for light smokers, who represent a sizeable proportion of homeless smokers and who may make apt intervention targets given their higher rates of purposeful quit attempts relative to heavier smoking counterparts.

Subjective sleep inadequacy and self-rated health among homeless adults.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between subjective sleep inadequacy and self-rated health in a sample of 244 homeless adults. METHODS: Logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess associations among 4 sleep inadequacy items (days of inadequate rest or sleep, hours of sleep, days unintentionally falling asleep during daytime, and snoring) and self-rated health in analyses adjusted for age, sex, race, education, lifetime homelessness, lifetime serious mental illness, and current depression. RESULTS: Days of inadequate rest or sleep, fewer hours of sleep, and days unintentionally falling asleep were each significantly associated with higher odds of poor/fair self-rated health. CONCLUSION: Because both inadequate sleep and poor self-rated health independently predict mortality, interventions targeting sleep quality among homeless adults are needed.