Abstract

OBJECTIVES
We examined socioeconomic disparities in a community-based tobacco dependence treatment program.
METHODS
We provided cognitive-behavioral treatment and nicotine patches to 2739 smokers. We examined treatment use, clinical and environmental, and treatment outcome differences by socioeconomic status (SES). We used logistic regressions to model end-of-treatment and 3- and 6-month treatment outcomes.
RESULTS
The probability of abstinence 3 months after treatment was 55% greater for the highest-SES than for the lowest-SES (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03, 2.33) smokers and increased to 2.5 times greater for the highest-SES than for the lowest-SES smokers 6 months after treatment (AOR = 2.47; 95% CI = 1.62, 3.77). Lower-SES participants received less treatment content and had fewer resources and environmental supports to manage a greater number of clinical and environmental challenges to abstinence.
CONCLUSIONS
Targets for enhancing therapeutic approaches for lower socioeconomic groups should include efforts to ensure that lower-SES groups receive more treatment content, strategies to address specific clinical and environmental challenges associated with treatment outcomes for lower-SES smokers (i.e., higher dependence and stress levels and exposure to other smokers), and strategies to provide longer-term support.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Sheffer CE, Stitzer M, Landes R, Brackman SL, Munn T, Moore P

Institution

Department of Health Behavior and Health Education, Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. csheffer@med.cuny.edu

Source

American journal of public health 102:3 2012 Mar pg e8-16

MeSH

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Arkansas
Cognitive Therapy
Community Networks
Confidence Intervals
Female
Healthcare Disparities
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Logistic Models
Male
Middle Aged
Odds Ratio
Outcome Assessment (Health Care)
Social Class
Tobacco Use Disorder
Young Adult

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22390525