Fumar en la Argentina
[The study below suggests a possible movement towards a decline in smoking in Argentina. However, overall prevalence remains among the highest in the Americas, and rates among women exceed those in most countries of the world. Tobacco control interventions will need to be developed and adapted to reach smokers with limited formal education, particularly women.]
Title: Smoking Behavior and Demographic Risk Factors in Argentina: A Population-based Survey
Author: E Martínez, CP Kaplan, et al.
Reference: Prevention and Control 2006; 2(4): 187-197,
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/15732088
Reviewer: Carlos Mendoza Montano, PhD, ProCor contributing editor, APRECOR, Guatemala, e-mail: projhouse@intelnet.net.gt
Problem addressed: The smoking epidemic is rapidly shifting to the developing world with steady increases in cigarette consumption especially among men reaching prevalence rates of about 50%. The smoking epidemic has been described in the context of the epidemiologic stages based on prevalence rates, smoking consumption, and mortality rates attributable to tobacco use. Stage I is characterized by relatively low prevalence rates for both men and women. Greater smoking prevalence marks stage II, the peak stage of the epidemic, with rates ranging from 40% to 60%. Stage III indicates the initiation of the epidemic's decline, particularly among middle-aged and older men. Finally, stage IV is marked by a steady decline in smoking rates among both men and women. Argentina, a middle-income country in Latin America, offers a unique opportunity to examine the evolution of the smoking epidemic in this region.
Purpose of study: To assess the demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with smoking behavior in a representative nationwide household survey of Argentina with a view to inform tobacco control policy.
Location of study: Argentina
Study design: Face-to-face interviews with adults, age 20 years and older, assessed smoking status, frequency and age of initiation. The interviews were conducted by trained fieldworkers using a structured questionnaire. Data were collected on a variety of household characteristics, as well as individual social, demographic and health factors. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compare social and demographic characteristics.
Results/Findings: The present analysis included 23,423 women (53.4%) and 20,440 men (46.6%). Of the 43,863 participants, 38% of men and 24% of women were current smokers, and 20% of current smokers smoked occasionally. For older men and women, smoking was less prevalent and their probability of quitting higher. Men with more than high school education were less likely to be current smokers. Rates for women did not differ by education. Smoking was not uniform among the different regions of the country. Among women, those living in the Metropolitan area, Central, Central West and Patagonia were significantly more likely to smoke than those living in the Northeast. Among men, those living in the Northwest and Patagonia were more likely to smoke.
Comments: The smoking prevalence rates found in this study were similar to those reported by the World Health Organization, although somewhat lower than in other surveys. The authors of the study discussed that the data derived from their study seem to suggest a movement towards a decline in smoking and a transition towards Stage III. However, overall prevalence in Argentina remains among the highest in the Americas, and rates among women exceed those in most countries of the world. The authors conclude that tobacco control interventions will need to be developed and adapted to reach smokers with limited formal education, particularly women.
Additional references:
1. WHO. Atlas maps global tobacco epidemic. Cent Eur J Public Health 2003; 2(11): 106.
2. Lopez AD, Collishaw NE, Piha T. A descriptive model of the cigarettes epidemic in developed countries. Tobacco Contr 1994; 247-342.
Title: Smoking Behavior and Demographic Risk Factors in Argentina: A Population-based Survey
Author: E Martínez, CP Kaplan, et al.
Reference: Prevention and Control 2006; 2(4): 187-197,
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/15732088
Reviewer: Carlos Mendoza Montano, PhD, ProCor contributing editor, APRECOR, Guatemala, e-mail: projhouse@intelnet.net.gt
Problem addressed: The smoking epidemic is rapidly shifting to the developing world with steady increases in cigarette consumption especially among men reaching prevalence rates of about 50%. The smoking epidemic has been described in the context of the epidemiologic stages based on prevalence rates, smoking consumption, and mortality rates attributable to tobacco use. Stage I is characterized by relatively low prevalence rates for both men and women. Greater smoking prevalence marks stage II, the peak stage of the epidemic, with rates ranging from 40% to 60%. Stage III indicates the initiation of the epidemic's decline, particularly among middle-aged and older men. Finally, stage IV is marked by a steady decline in smoking rates among both men and women. Argentina, a middle-income country in Latin America, offers a unique opportunity to examine the evolution of the smoking epidemic in this region.
Purpose of study: To assess the demographic and socioeconomic factors associated with smoking behavior in a representative nationwide household survey of Argentina with a view to inform tobacco control policy.
Location of study: Argentina
Study design: Face-to-face interviews with adults, age 20 years and older, assessed smoking status, frequency and age of initiation. The interviews were conducted by trained fieldworkers using a structured questionnaire. Data were collected on a variety of household characteristics, as well as individual social, demographic and health factors. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compare social and demographic characteristics.
Results/Findings: The present analysis included 23,423 women (53.4%) and 20,440 men (46.6%). Of the 43,863 participants, 38% of men and 24% of women were current smokers, and 20% of current smokers smoked occasionally. For older men and women, smoking was less prevalent and their probability of quitting higher. Men with more than high school education were less likely to be current smokers. Rates for women did not differ by education. Smoking was not uniform among the different regions of the country. Among women, those living in the Metropolitan area, Central, Central West and Patagonia were significantly more likely to smoke than those living in the Northeast. Among men, those living in the Northwest and Patagonia were more likely to smoke.
Comments: The smoking prevalence rates found in this study were similar to those reported by the World Health Organization, although somewhat lower than in other surveys. The authors of the study discussed that the data derived from their study seem to suggest a movement towards a decline in smoking and a transition towards Stage III. However, overall prevalence in Argentina remains among the highest in the Americas, and rates among women exceed those in most countries of the world. The authors conclude that tobacco control interventions will need to be developed and adapted to reach smokers with limited formal education, particularly women.
Additional references:
1. WHO. Atlas maps global tobacco epidemic. Cent Eur J Public Health 2003; 2(11): 106.
2. Lopez AD, Collishaw NE, Piha T. A descriptive model of the cigarettes epidemic in developed countries. Tobacco Contr 1994; 247-342.
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