Results from a Community-Based Smoking Cessation Treatment Program for LGBT Smokers

• Published in: Journal of Environmental and Public Health 2013-01, Vol.2013 (2013), p.658-666
• Main Authors: Matthews, Alicia K., Li, Chien-Ching, Kuhns, Lisa M., Tasker, Timothy B., Cesario, John A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Behavior; Clinical outcomes; Community; Delivery of Health Care - methods; Demographic aspects; Demography; Female; Health aspects; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Intervention; Male; Middle Aged; Open access publishing; Population; Sexual minorities; Sexuality; Smoking cessation; Smoking Cessation - methods; Smoking cessation programs; Smoking Prevention; Socioeconomic Factors; Studies; Tobacco Use Disorder - prevention & control; Transgender Persons; Treatment Outcome; United States
• ISSN: 1687-9805; 1687-9813
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/984508

Introduction. Little is known about lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people’s response to smoking cessation interventions. This descriptive study examined the benefits of a community-based, culturally tailored smoking cessation treatment program for LGBT smokers. Methods. A total of N=198 LGBT individuals recruited from clinical practice and community outreach participated in group-based treatment. Sessions were based on the American Lung Association’s “Freedom from Smoking Program” (ALA-FFS) and were tailored to LGBT smokers’ needs. Seven-day smoking point prevalence abstinence served as the primary outcome. Results. Participants (M age = 40.5) were mostly White (70.4%) and male (60.5%) and had at least a college degree (58.4%). Forty-four percent scored in the moderate range on the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence pretreatment, and 42.4% completed treatment (≥75% sessions). Higher educational attainment and use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) were associated with treatment completion. Self-reported quit rates were 32.3% at posttreatment assessment. Treatment attendance (OR = 2.45), use of NRT (OR = 4.24), and lower nicotine dependency (OR = 0.73) were positively associated with quitting smoking. Conclusions. Results suggest the benefits of offering LGBT smokers culturally tailored smoking cessation treatments. Future research could improve outcomes by encouraging treatment attendance and promoting NRT uptake.