A Cross-Sectional Study Examining Adult Smoking Rates and Recent Quit Attempts in the Republic of Georgia
Keywords:
health disparities, smoking, smoking cessation, tobacco controlAbstract
BACKGROUND: Former Soviet Union countries have high tobacco use prevalence, with rates higher among men than women. However, there is limited research regarding correlates of smoking behaviors among Georgian adults. Thus, we examined correlates of current smoking among Georgian adults, and among smokers, correlates of past-year quit attempts.
METHODS: We conducted secondary analysis of the Georgia STEPS Survey of Chronic Disease Risk-factors data from 2010 (N=6,497). We examined correlates (sociodemographics, smoking history, comorbid health conditions) associated with current smoking and, among smokers, recent quit attempts among men and women, respectively.
RESULTS: Overall, 4.4% women and 53.0% men reported current smoking; 36.0% of smokers reported recent quit attempts. The multivariate regression examining correlates of current smoking among men included younger age (p<.001), being Georgian (p=.003), being employed (p=.050), being married/living with a partner (p=.050), and alcohol consumption (p<.001); among women, predictors included not being Georgian (p=.001), having a college education (p=.001), higher monthly income (p<.001), being single (p=.001), and using alcohol (p<.001). Correlates of having made a quit attempt among male smokers included younger age (p=.025) and more cigarettes smoked per day (p=.032), whereas the only correlate of having made a quit attempt among female smokers was younger age (p=.012).
CONCLUSIONS: The high smoking prevalence among Georgian adults, particularly men, and the low prevalence of recent quit attempts indicate the importance of addressing nicotine dependence and smoking-related morbidity and mortality.
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