Influence of gender on initiation of tobacco and nicotine containing product use among U.S. Air Force trainees

Military personnel are a subgroup of young adults at risk for tobacco and nicotine containing product (TNCP) use. This study of US Air Force (USAF) trainees who were never users of TNCPs examined gender, peer tobacco use, and tobacco use intentions as predictors of TNCP initiation after Basic Military Training (BMT). We used a longitudinal cohort assessment study design with baseline and 1-year surveys completed (2011-2016) among 2393 USAF trainees: 73% men, 95% aged 18-25 years, 36% racial minorities. Overall, initiation of any TNCP use at 1-year was 23% (20% women, 24% men). From a multivariable multinomial logistic regression model predicting TNCP use at 1-year follow-up, significant 2-way interactions were detected between gender and number of close friends using tobacco before BMT (p = 0.015), and between gender and tobacco use intentions (p < 0.0001). Women reporting almost all or many close friends used tobacco were more likely to report TNCP use compared to women with none (Odds ratio [OR] = 5.8, 95% CI 2.5-13.5, Bonferroni corrected p < 0.0001). Having close friends using tobacco had little influence on TNCP use among men. Men with tobacco use intentions were more likely to report TNCP use compared to men having no intentions (OR = 8.0, 95% CI: 4.7-13.6, Bonferroni corrected p < 0.001), but tobacco use intentions had little influence among women. In this sample of USAF trainees, the study provides novel prospective findings on TNCP initiation, and how men and women are influenced differently by peer tobacco use and tobacco use intentions. Gender-specific prevention efforts focused on uptake of TNCPs appear warranted.

Influence of gender and peer tobacco use on tobacco use intentions after a period of involuntary tobacco abstinence among U.S. Air Force trainees

This study examined gender, prior tobacco use, and social-environmental factors as predictors of intentions to use tobacco (cigarette smoking and/or smokeless tobacco [ST]) after a forced period of abstinence among U.S. Air Force (USAF) trainees. Trainees completed 8½ weeks of basic military training (BMT), then 4 weeks of Technical Training; both required abstinence from tobacco. A cross-sectional survey of 13,514 USAF trainees (73% male, 90% age 18–24, 43% prior tobacco use) was conducted at the beginning of the 4-week Technical Training period. Overall, 17% of the sample reported future tobacco use intentions. Intentions for future tobacco use were less prevalent among non-tobacco users before BMT (1%) than those reporting any tobacco use (37%). From a multivariable logistic regression model predicting intentions to use any tobacco after Technical Training, significant two-way interaction effects were detected between gender, and tobacco use prior to BMT (p = 0.0001), and number of close friends who smoked cigarettes (p = 0.018), and number of close friends who used ST (p = 0.029). Among non-tobacco users before BMT, females were more than twice as likely as males to report tobacco intentions (Odds Ratio = 2.2, Bonferroni corrected 95% CI: 1.14.4, p = 0.011); no gender differences were detected among tobacco users. For females, but not males, having more friends who smoked was associated with greater likelihood of tobacco intentions (Bonferroni corrected p ≤ 0.05). In contrast, for males, but not females, having more friends using ST was associated with greater likelihood of tobacco intentions (Bonferroni corrected p < 0.05). In this sample of USAF trainees, the study provides novel findings on how males and females are influenced differently by their prior tobacco use and peers' tobacco use in predicting tobacco intentions. Prevention efforts focused on uptake and resumption of tobacco use, along with gender-specific strategies, may be warranted.

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Prior tobacco use predicts tobacco use intentions among U.S. Air Force trainees.

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Male and female trainees are influenced differently by their peers' tobacco use.

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Gender-specific strategies targeting social norms about tobacco may be warranted.

Prevalence and Correlates of Tobacco and Nicotine Containing Product Use in a Sample of United States Air Force Trainees

INTRODUCTION

Although there is increasing attention to the prevalence of new and emerging tobacco products in the civilian population, remarkably little is known about the current prevalence of these products in a military population.

METHODS

The current investigation was designed to determine the prevalence of tobacco and nicotine containing products (TNCP) and correlates of use across multiple cohorts of trainees undergoing Technical Training in the US Air Force between April 2013 and December 2014. Chi-square test, Cochran-Armitage test for linear trend, and logistic regression models were applied to test differences and linear trends across time for TNCP use as well as correlates of use in a cross-sectional sample of 13 685 Airmen (final analytic sample).

RESULTS

Over a quarter (26.9%) of Airmen reported regular use of a TNCP. The two most prevalent products were cigarettes (11.2%) and hookah (10.5%). Among correlates of use, Airmen that regularly use TNCPs were more likely to be male, younger, non-Hispanic white, and single with a high school degree or General Education Development. Hookah was the most endorsed for intentions to use, and along with e-cigarettes, had the lowest perception of harm. While prevalence of most products remained constant across entering cohorts, the prevalence of e-cigarettes showed significant linear increase.

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of TNCP use is high across cohorts of Airmen. Remarkably high estimates of future intentions to use and low perceptions of harm for emerging products suggest that intervention efforts should be directed at multiple forms of TNCP use to address this important public health issue.

Assessment and diagnosis of nicotine dependence in mental health settings

This study evaluated the frequency of documented assessment of smoking status and the diagnosis of nicotine dependence in a random sample of 153 mental health records and 152 medical records. The results indicated that tobacco use was routinely documented in the mental health records (88%) and medical records (87%). However, a diagnosis of nicotine dependence was given in only 2% of the mental health records (1/49) and 7% of the medical records (2/30) for those patients with documented regular tobacco use. These results suggest that clinicians do not routinely diagnose Nicotine Dependence even when diagnostic criteria are met.

Behavioral treatment of insomnia: the Wilford Hall Insomnia Program

Persistent insomnia is one of the most common patient complaints reported in primary care settings. This paper reviews the behavioral assessment and treatment approaches for persistent insomnia and reports the results of 42 consecutively treated patients in the Wilford Hall Insomnia Program. Patients were treated in a six-session, multiple-component behavioral group treatment program consisting of sleep restriction, stimulus control, sleep hygiene, relaxation training, and cognitive therapy. In addition, patients were seen for two individual treatment sessions in conjunction with the program and for two individual post-group treatment sessions to assess treatment progress. The results indicated that sleep onset latency was improved by 53%, wake after sleep onset was decreased by 40%, and sleep efficiency was improved by 22%. A detailed description of the behavioral treatment program for insomnia is provided as well as recommendations for practitioners working in primary care settings.