Multivariate analysis of factors associated with smoking cessation in women.

Background: Appropriate smoking cessation techniques, including counseling patients to stop smoking, could prevent multiple health-related problems. Identification of relevant factors in patients that smoke may be beneficial in targeting smoking cessation efforts. This investigation explores various factors associated with smoking cessation, specifically in women.

Methods: All women (n = 675) presenting to a breast health center over a one year period were surveyed regarding their tobacco use. Any association between smoking cessation and various factors was determined by multivariate analysis.

Results: Our population consisted of 47% African American women, 43% Caucasian women, and 10% women of other ethnicities. Sixty percent of all women never smoked. Of the women who had smoked, 57% quit. Except for alcohol use and exercise, no factor, including ethnicity, was associated with never smoking. Smoking cessation was associated with being married, being Caucasian, not using alcohol, and exercising. However, only Caucasian race and marriage were independently associated with smoking cessation.

Discussion: In our population, African American women had a lower proportion of smoking cessation than Caucasian women. In patients with similar access to care, specifically preventive care, there are ethnic and social differences in smoking cessation.