Pre- and post-immigration factors associated with cigarette use among young adult recent Latinx immigrants during their initial year in the U.S. (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sanchez, Mariana; Romano, Eduardo; Wang, Weize; Barton, Alexa; Ali, Bina; Villalba, Karina; Westick, Ashly
• Is Part Of: American journal of drug and alcohol abuse. Volume 48:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 17
• Page End: 26
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: cigarette smoking -- tobacco smoking -- Latinos/Latinas -- hispanics -- immigrants; Drug abuse -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Substance-abuse -- Treatment -- Periodicals; Alcoholism -- Periodicals; Substance-Related Disorders -- Periodicals; 616.86
• DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2021.1913601
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0095-2990

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : Evidence indicates escalating rates of cigarette use among foreign-born Latinx as their time in the U.S increases. As such, it's important to understand shifts in pre- to post-immigration smoking patterns early in the immigration process and its associated factors. Objectives : To examine 1) cigarette use among recent Latinx immigrants (RLIs) during their initial year in the U.S.; 2) whether cigarette use after immigration is influenced by smoking patterns in immigrant's country of origin; and 3) associations between pre/post immigration sociocultural factors and changes in cigarette use after immigration. Methods : Baseline data were utilized from an on-going longitudinal study of 540 young adult (50% females) RLIs. Inclusion criteria was being between ages 18 and 34, residing in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and having immigrated from a Latin American country within the past year Results : Approximately 31% of participants reported being smokers in their country of origin while 26% were current smokers (while residing in the U.S). Post-immigration cigarette use was substantially influenced by country of origin cigarette use (V = .68); 84% of pre-immigration smokers reported no change in smoking frequency, while 11% lowered and 6% increased their cigarette use post-immigration. Reduction in smoking after immigration was more likely among participants with higher pre-immigration social support (aOR = 1.87) and less likely among those residing in high-crime neighborhoods (aOR = .84). Conclusion : Interventions aimed to discourage cigarette use should begin early in the immigration process and account for RLIs' pre-immigration smoking patterns. Interpersonal supports and neighborhood contextual factors should be considered when developing smoking cessation programs with this population.