Smoking and cessation behaviors in patients at federally funded health centers – United States, 2014. (1st April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Trapl, Erika S.; VanFrank, Brenna; Kava, Christine M.; Trinh, Vinh; Land, Stephanie R.; Williams, Rebecca S.; Frost, Elizabeth; Babb, Stephen
• Is Part Of: Drug and alcohol dependence. Volume 221(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04-01
• Subjects: Tobacco -- Smoking -- Cessation -- Federally qualified health centers -- Community health centers -- Counseling; Drug abuse -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108615
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0376-8716

Abstract

Highlights: Patients at federally funded health centers (HC) smoke at higher rates than the overall US population. A large majority of HC patients who smoke want to quit. More smokers at HCs receive advice to quit than the overall US population. Only 1 in 6 HC smokers utilized evidence-based cessation treatment to quit. Increasing access to cessation treatments in HCs could reduce smoking-related disparities. Abstract: Background: Federally funded health centers (HCs) provide care to the most vulnerable populations in the U.S., including populations with disproportionately higher smoking prevalence such as those with lower incomes. Methods: This study compared characteristics of adult HC patients, by cigarette smoking status, and assessed smoking cessation-related behaviors using 2014 Health Center Patient Survey data; analysis was restricted to adults with data on cigarette smoking status (n = 5583). Chi-square and logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: Overall, 28.1 % were current smokers and 19.2 % were former smokers. Current smokers were more likely to report fair/poor health (48.2 %) and a high burden of behavioral health conditions (e.g., severe psychological distress 23.9 %) versus former and never smokers. Most current smokers reported wanting to quit in the past 12 months (79.0 %) and receiving advice to quit from a healthcare professional (78.7 %). In a multivariable model, age <45, non-white race, COPD diagnosis, and past 3-month marijuana use were significantly associated with desire to quit. Few former smokers (15.2 %) reported using cessation treatment, though use was higher among those who quit within the previous year (30.6 %). Conclusions: Although most current smokers reported a desire to quit, low uptake of evidence-based treatment may reduce the number who attempt to quit and succeed. Given the burden of tobacco use, future efforts could focus on identifying and overcoming unique personal, healthcare professional, or health system barriers to connecting them with cessation treatments. Increasing access to cessation treatments within HCs could reduce smoking-related disparities and improve population health.