 |
|
 |
 |
        |
|
- Patient Services
- Educational Programs
- Research Programs
- Divisions & Faculty
- Other SIU Links
- Links for Faculty
- Internal Medicine Home
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
RACIAL AND SEX DIFFERENCES AMONG REACTIVE TELEPHONE HELPLINE USERS
Andoh J, Verhulst S, Hopkins-Price P, Ganesh M, Edson B, and Sood A. (2006). Racial and Sex Differences among Reactive Telephone Helpline Users. Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society, 3 (Abstracts Issue), A239
RATIONALE: The use of reactive telephone helplines against smoking has been increasing in the United States. Studying the racial and sex differences among helpline users may allow us to more effectively utilize helpline resources to combat the smoking epidemic. OBJECTIVE: To compare the racial and sex distribution between smokers calling a reactive helpline with the general population of smokers and to study racial and sex differences among the callers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study evaluated 890 new callers to a reactive helpline established by the American Lung Association between January 2003 and July 2005. Data on control population was obtained from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). T tests and chi-square was used for statistical analysis, using SPSS software. RESULTS: There is a higher proportion of women (0.63 vs. 0.46, p value <0.01) and blacks (0.33 vs. 0.14, p value <0.01) in the helpline population. Women and black smokers are less educated, poorer and less likely to be employed than their male and white counterparts respectively. In addition, blacks are more likely to live in inner cities. Women and blacks smoke fewer cigarettes and spend less money than their respective male and white counterparts. Blacks and men smoke higher tar delivery cigarettes compared to whites and women. Blacks are more confident that they can quit and women are more easily tempted to smoke. Whites also usually have other smokers in their household and are more likely to have used other methods of quitting before calling the helpline. CONCLUSION: Significant racial and sex differences exist between the helpline users and control population and also among the helpline users.
Please note that specific medical questions can not be answered via this website.
Copyright © 2006, Board of Trustees, Southern Illinois University - Privacy Policy
Page Last Updated September 12, 2008