Prevalence of smokeless tobacco use in Pitt County, North Carolina

Smokeless tobacco use accelerates age-related loss of bone mineral density among older women in a multi-ethnic rural community

Cigarette smoking is a recognized risk factor for low bone mineral density (BMD) and osteoporosis. Despite the prevalence of smokeless tobacco (ST) use by women in some areas of the United States, minority groups in the United Kingdom, and populations in South Asia and Africa, no data exist to evaluate its effect on bone health. The objective of the study is to identify risk factors for low BMD among older women in a multi-ethnic population, with particular attention to smoking and ST use. Data were collected in Robeson County, North Carolina. ST use from childhood is common among women in this community. Two hundred-forty women aged 60 years and older (approximately equal numbers of African Americans, Native Americans and whites) were recruited at a variety of community events to obtain a cross-section of the demographic composition of the county. The main outcome was BMD measured in the heel using a portable dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Twenty-nine percent of women were current or former smokers, and 26% current or former ST users. Increased BMD was predicted by greater body mass index, estrogen use in the past year, and African American and Native American ethnicity. There was a significant interaction between ST use and age, and between smoking and nutritional supplement use. BMD declined with age; the decline with age was greater for women who were current or former ST users than for those who never used ST. Women who formerly smoked and did not use supplements had a decreased BMD. ST should be considered as an additional risk factor for osteoporosis in populations where its use is prevalent.

Smokeless tobacco and osteoporosis: a new relationship?

Osteoporosis is a common disorder of bone predominantly affecting postmenopausal women in which bone mineral density declines making bone more likely to break. Although cigarette smoking is a well-established risk factor for osteoporosis, smokeless tobacco (ST) use has never been suggested or evaluated as a risk factor for this bone disorder. This would be important to consider since in certain regions of the world, ST use is more prevalent than cigarette smoking, particularly among women. This paper reviews the animal and human evidence lending support to this new hypothesis, as well as the epidemiology of ST use that underscores the potential impact this modifiable behavior might have on osteoporosis world wide.

Prevalence and predictors of tobacco use among Lumbee Indian women in Robeson County, North Carolina

Tobacco use among some Native American tribes is high compared to the overall US population. Little is known, however, about tobacco use among Native Americans in North Carolina, a state with strong economic ties to tobacco. To assess the epidemiology of tobacco use in this population, data from the North Carolina Native American Cervical Cancer Project was reviewed. Nine hundred eighty-two Lumbee Indian women in Robeson County provided general demographic information as well as information on cancer risk knowledge, attitudes and behaviors during the 5-year study. Women were selected from the community using a random sample of 5200 persons from the tribal roll of approximately 40,000 persons. 20.6% of women were current smokeless tobacco users, while 23.7% were current smokers. Demographic and social support predictors were unique for the different types of tobacco use. Cigarette smoking was associated with younger age, higher education, excellent or good self-reported health, having a recent physical exam, separated or divorced marital status, low church participation, and alcohol consumption. Conversely, use of smokeless tobacco was associated with older age, lower education level, fair or poor self-reported health, widowed marital status, and having a high number of friends. These data show a high prevalence of smokeless tobacco use among women in this population, and a contrast in the predictors of tobacco use by source. Intervention programs for tobacco use cessation should be sensitive to these differences.

Smokeless tobacco consumption in Grant County, New Mexico

A telephone survey was conducted in order to assess the prevalence of smokeless tobacco consumption in Grant County, New Mexico. Systematic random sampling was used, and 1 out of 25 phone numbers were selected from the county telephone directory. One hundred seventy-eight respondents were surveyed. Thirty-three percent of 96 males and 7% of 82 females identified themselves as smokeless tobacco users.

An interpretative review of smokeless tobacco research in the United States: Part I

The first part of a two-part series reviewing the published literature of smokeless tobacco in the United States and concomitant health effects associated with its use. This article delineates the current status of its prevalence, behavioral psychosocial factors associated with use, and review of the negative health effects associated with regular use.

Pacific northwest native American youth and smokeless tobacco use

This study examined snuff and chewing tobacco use among Alaska Native and American Indian adolescents. Results show frequent and early use of smokeless tobacco products. Almost one fifth of all females and close to one half of all males had used snuff or chewing tobacco on more than 20 occasions. Weekly smokeless tobacco use was reported by 34% of all females and by 42.6% of all males. By product type, 32.6% of all subjects had used snuff and 27.8% had chewed tobacco in the past week. Among females, over one half of all subjects had used snuff or chewing tobacco before age 10 years. Among males, nearly one half of the subjects first used smokeless tobacco prior to 8 years of age. Few subjects had used cigarettes or other smoked tobacco products.

Personality traits of smokeless tobacco users and nonusers: a comparison

This study investigated the personality characteristics of male university students who were either users or nonusers of smokeless tobacco. The hypotheses attempted to determine any differences in personality characteristics between users and nonusers of smokeless tobacco, and examine differences in personality characteristics according to the amount of smokeless tobacco used. A university sample of 289 males revealed 19% (55) prevalence of smokeless tobacco users. Each subject was administered Cattell's Sixteen Personality Factor Questionnaire and a demographic questionnaire. An analysis of variance revealed that smokeless tobacco users exhibited significant differences (p less than .01) in both personality characteristic A (more reserved, less outgoing socially) and personality characteristic I (self-reliant, less sentimental), and significant difference (p less than .05) in personality characteristic Q2 (more conforming, group dependent). No significant differences were noted in personality among persons who used varying amounts of smokeless tobacco.

Prevalence and patterns of smokeless tobacco use in a southeastern university

The purpose of this study was to determine prevalence and patterns of use for tobacco products, especially, the use of smokeless tobacco among students at a university in the Southeastern United States. Six-hundred and thirty-two students, representing both sexes, participated in the survey, which elicited information regarding current and former use of tobacco products. Smokeless tobacco use was considerably more prevalent among male students than among female students; the reverse was true for cigarette smoking. Overall, the prevalence of tobacco use in this study indicates a need to begin health education programs regarding the adverse health effects of smokeless tobacco use with males and to revise smoking education programs to place more emphasis on female usage.