RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Youth smoking trends among Latin American countries, including Mexico, are on the rise. Notably, although the high prevalence of smoking in teens has been well documented in the literature, few studies have evaluated the impact of smoking and secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure on their respiratory system. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of smoking and SHS exposure on the respiratory health and lung function among eighth-grade students in Juárez, Mexico. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was undertaken on a sample of convenience. The study outcomes centered on evaluating 300 students' lung function by spirometry (forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV1], forced expiratory volume in 1 second/forced vital capacity ratio [FEV1/FVC], and forced mid-expiratory flow rate [FEF25%-75%]) and their respiratory health (smoking behavior and SHS exposure) by their self-reported responses to a standardized respiratory questionnaire. The study outcomes were compared among three distinct groups: 1) nonsmokers/nonexposed to SHS; 2) nonsmokers/exposed to SHS; and 3) smokers. RESULTS: The majority of the study participants were 14 years old (85%), females (54%), who attended eighth grade in a public school setting (56%). Approximately, half reported being of low socioeconomic status (49%) and nonsmokers/exposed to SHS (49%). The lung function parameters of smokers were found to be lower (FEV1 =62.88±10.25; FEV1/FVC =83.50±14.15; and FEF25%-75% =66.35±12.55) than those recorded for the nonsmokers/exposed to SHS (FEV1 =69.41±11.35; FEV1/FVC =88.75±15.75; and FEF25%-75% =78.90±14.65) and significantly reduced when compared to the nonsmokers/nonexposed to SHS (FEV1 =79.14±13.61; FEV1/FVC =94.88±21.88; and FEF25%-75% =87.36±17.02) (P<0.001). Similarly, respiratory complaints were more prevalent among smokers and those exposed to SHS when compared to nonsmokers/nonexposed to SHS. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that initiation of cigarette smoking and, to a lesser extent, exposure to SHS in adolescence leads to increased respiratory symptoms and reduction of pulmonary function test values. Public health initiatives that aim to prevent smoking initiation, assist in cessation, and lessen SHS exposure of adolescents need to be school-based and employed as early as middle school.
Assuntos
Pulmão/fisiopatologia , Doenças Respiratórias/epidemiologia , Fumar/efeitos adversos , Poluição por Fumaça de Tabaco/efeitos adversos , Adolescente , Comportamento do Adolescente , Fatores Etários , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Volume Expiratório Forçado , Comportamentos Relacionados com a Saúde , Humanos , Masculino , México/epidemiologia , Prevalência , Doenças Respiratórias/diagnóstico , Doenças Respiratórias/fisiopatologia , Doenças Respiratórias/psicologia , Fatores de Risco , Fumar/epidemiologia , Fumar/fisiopatologia , Fumar/psicologia , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Espirometria , Capacidade VitalRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Tobacco use and secondhand-tobacco smoke (SHS) exposure are classified as a pediatric disease. In Mexico, the prevalence of smoking has decreased among adults but paradoxically increased among adolescents, particularly among young females. This study was designed to determine the association between adolescents' smoking experiences (smoking behaviors and second hand smoke [SHS] exposure), family structure, parental smoking and socio-economic status (SES) in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, population-based study. Data was collected from sixth-grade students (N = 506) attending school in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. Descriptive analyses were conducted. The relationship between key outcome variables (adolescents smoking and SHS exposure) and independent variables (family structure, parental smoking, and SES level) were examined. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed while controlling for possible confounders (i.e. gender and age). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of ever/lifetime smoking and SHS exposure at home was 29.6 and 41.1 %, respectively. Results of the logistic regression analysis show that being a member of a non-intact family [(OR = 2.20; 95 % CI = 1.21-3.90) and (OR = 2.45; 95 % CI = 1.19-4.10) respectively], having parents who smoke [(OR = 4.41; 95 % CI = 2.15-5.46) and (OR = 4.95; 95 % CI = 2.25-7.12) respectively], and living in low SES setting [(OR = 1.73; 95 % CI = 1.43-3.30) and (OR = 1.99; 95 % CI = 1.16-4.00) respectively] are significantly associated with ever smoking and SHS exposure at home among sixth grade students. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study show that tobacco use and SHS exposure are strongly associated with adolescents living in low SES, non-intact households that have parents that smoke. To be effective, tobacco strategies specifically tailored for this particularly vulnerable group of adolescents would require a comprehensive, multi-faceted approach centered on prevention, cessation and protection.
Assuntos
Fumar/psicologia , Classe Social , Adolescente , Criança , Estudos Transversais , Saúde da Família/normas , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , México , Fumar/efeitos adversos , Poluição por Fumaça de TabacoRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Evidence suggests Latinas residing along the United States-Mexico border face higher breast cancer mortality rates compared to Latinas in the interior of either country. The purpose of this study was to investigate breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, and use of breast cancer preventive screening among U.S. Latina and Mexican women residing along the U.S.-Mexico border. METHODS: For this binational cross-sectional study, 265 participants completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire that obtained information on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, attitudes, family history, and screening practices. Differences between Mexican (n=128) and U.S. Latina (n=137) participants were assessed by Pearson's chi-square, Fischer's exact test, t tests, and multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: U.S. Latinas had significantly increased odds of having ever received a mammogram/breast ultrasound (adjusted odds ratio [OR]=2.95) and clinical breast examination (OR=2.67) compared to Mexican participants. A significantly greater proportion of Mexican women had high knowledge levels (54.8%) compared to U.S. Latinas (45.2%, p<0.05). Age, education, and insurance status were significantly associated with breast cancer screening use. CONCLUSIONS: Despite having higher levels of breast cancer knowledge than U.S. Latinas, Mexican women along the U.S.-Mexico border are not receiving the recommended breast cancer screening procedures. Although U.S. border Latinas had higher breast cancer screening levels than their Mexican counterparts, these levels are lower than those seen among the general U.S. Latina population. Our findings underscore the lack of access to breast cancer prevention screening services and emphasize the need to ensure that existing breast cancer screening programs are effective in reaching women along the U.S.-Mexico border.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama/etnologia , Detecção Precoce de Câncer/estatística & dados numéricos , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Acessibilidade aos Serviços de Saúde/estatística & dados numéricos , Hispânico ou Latino/estatística & dados numéricos , Mamografia/estatística & dados numéricos , Adulto , Neoplasias da Mama/diagnóstico , Estudos Transversais , Características Culturais , Feminino , Comportamentos Relacionados com a Saúde/etnologia , Humanos , México , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fatores Socioeconômicos , Inquéritos e Questionários , Estados Unidos , Saúde da Mulher/etnologiaRESUMO
Rates of breast cancer (BC) have increased in Mexico, with the highest incidence and mortality rates observed in the northern Mexican states. This study aimed to describe the BC knowledge, attitudes and screening practices among Mexican women with and without a family history of BC residing along the Mexico-US border, and identify factors associated with screening behaviors. One hundred and twenty eight Mexican women aged 40 and older completed an interviewer-administered questionnaire on sociodemographic characteristics, knowledge, family history, and screening practices. There were no significant differences between Mexican women with and without a family history. Over 60% of women in both groups had never had a mammogram/breast ultrasound, and more than 50% had never obtained a clinical breast exam. Age, marital status, insurance, and breast cancer knowledge significantly influenced BC screening behaviors among Mexican women. Further research is needed to examine other key factors associated with screening utilization, in effort of improving BC rates.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama/diagnóstico , Detecção Precoce de Câncer , Predisposição Genética para Doença , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Adulto , Neoplasias da Mama/etnologia , Feminino , Humanos , México , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estados UnidosRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among U.S. Hispanic women. Hispanics are less likely than non-Hispanic White women to be diagnosed at an early stage and survive breast cancer. METHODS: For this cross-sectional study, we assessed differences in breast cancer knowledge, attitudes, and screening practices between Hispanic women with (FH+) and without (FH-) a family history of breast cancer in three U.S.-Mexico border counties. RESULTS: Among 137 Hispanic women age 40 and older, FH+ women had levels of knowledge and attitudes about breast cancer similar to those of FH- women. FH+ participants were more likely to have ever performed breast self-examinations, although levels of compliance with screening guidelines did not significantly differ between FH+ and FH- groups. CONCLUSION: U.S. Hispanic women with a family history of breast cancer constitute an at-risk group for which adhering to preventive screening guidelines could substantially reduce breast cancer mortality.
Assuntos
Neoplasias da Mama/etnologia , Detecção Precoce de Câncer/estatística & dados numéricos , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Hispânico ou Latino/psicologia , Neoplasias da Mama/diagnóstico , Neoplasias da Mama/genética , Neoplasias da Mama/psicologia , Estudos Transversais , Feminino , Predisposição Genética para Doença/etnologia , Hispânico ou Latino/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Entrevistas como Assunto , Mamografia/estatística & dados numéricos , México , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Aceitação pelo Paciente de Cuidados de Saúde/etnologia , Inquéritos e Questionários , Estados UnidosRESUMO
This study assessed the smoking practices, risk perception of smoking, and environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure among adolescents in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico. We used a cross-sectional method to examine the smoking practices, risk perception of smoking, and ETS exposure of 6th-grade students (N=506), aged 11-13 years, attending six randomly selected middle schools. Schools were classified by school setting (i.e., public vs. private) and socioeconomic status (SES; i.e., low, middle, or high). The results indicated that 6th-grade students attending a public, low-SES school setting in Ciudad Juárez not only exhibited significantly higher rates of ETS exposure at home and in public places (p<.01) but also were more likely to have tried smoking (p<.01) and to be current smokers (p<.01), and were less likely to support a ban on smoking in public places (p<.01), compared with students who attended a private school or a public, middle- or high-SES school setting. These results provide further evidence that public health interventions to prevent initiation of smoking and to assist in smoking cessation among adolescents and to reduce their ETS exposure at home and in public need to target all school-aged students, especially those attending school in a low-SES settings.
Assuntos
Comportamento do Adolescente/psicologia , Exposição Ambiental , Assunção de Riscos , Fumar/psicologia , Adolescente , Criança , Feminino , Conhecimentos, Atitudes e Prática em Saúde , Humanos , Masculino , México , Instituições Acadêmicas , Fumar/efeitos adversos , Estudantes , Poluição por Fumaça de TabacoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To assess the smoking behaviors, beliefs about the risks of smoking, and exposure to ETS among adolescents in Juárez, Mexico. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with sixth-grade students (N=506), aged 11-13 years old, attending 6 randomly selected schools. Schools were classified by school setting and SES. RESULTS: Students attending a low SES school setting were more likely to have smoked (P < 0.01), be current smokers (P < 0.01), be exposed to ETS at home and in public (P < 0.01) than were students attending a middle or high SES school. CONCLUSION: Smoking interventions should target students attending school in low SES settings.