Last data update: Sep 16, 2024. (Total: 47680 publications since 2009)
Records 1-14 (of 14 Records) |
Query Trace: Regan AK [original query] |
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Effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines against hospitalisation in Latin America during three pandemic waves, 2021–2022: a test-negative case-control design
Nogareda F , Regan AK , Couto P , Fowlkes AL , Gharpure R , Loayza S , Leite JA , Rodríguez A , Vicari A , Azziz-Baumgartner E , Salas D . Lancet Reg Health Am 2023 27 100626 BACKGROUND: Vaccine effectiveness (VE) is essential to monitor the performance of vaccines and generate strategic information to guide decision making. We pooled data from six Latin American countries to estimate the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 hospitalisation during three different pandemic waves from February 2021 to September 2022. METHODS: We used a test-negative case-control design in hospitalised adults in Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Paraguay, and Uruguay. We estimated adjusted VE by age group (18-64 and ≥65 years), vaccine type and product for primary series vaccination and booster vaccination and by time since last dose during the Omicron variant dominant period. We used mixed effects logistic regression models adjusting for sex, age, week of onset of symptom onset and pre-existing conditions with country fit as a random effect term. FINDINGS: We included 15,241 severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) patients in the analysis. Among adults 18-64 years, VE estimates for primary series vaccination during pre-Delta and Delta periods ranged by product from 66.5% to 95.1% and from 33.5% to 88.2% for older adults. During the Omicron period, VE estimates for primary series were lower and decreased by time since last vaccination, but VE increased to between 26.4% and 57.4% when a booster was administered. INTERPRETATION: mRNA and viral vector vaccines presented higher VE for both primary series and booster. While VE decreased over time, protection against severe COVID-19-associated hospitalisation increased when booster doses were administered. Vaccination with additional doses should be recommended, particularly for persons at increased risk of developing severe COVID-19. FUNDING: This work was supported by a grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) through cooperative agreements with the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization. |
End-of-season influenza vaccine effectiveness during the Southern Hemisphere 2022 Influenza Season - Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay
Chard AN , Nogareda F , Regan AK , Barraza MFO , Fasce RA , Vergara N , Avendaño M , Penayo E , Vázquez C , Von Horoch M , Michel F , Alfonso A , Mogdasy C , Chiparelli H , Goñi N , Alegretti M , Loayza S , Couto P , Rodriguez A , Salas D , Fowlkes AL , Azziz-Baumgartner E . Int J Infect Dis 2023 134 39-44 OBJECTIVE: To estimate the 2022 end-of-season influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) against severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) hospitalization in Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. METHODS: We pooled surveillance data from SARI cases in 18 sentinel surveillance hospitals in Chile (n=9), Paraguay (n=2), and Uruguay (n=7) during March 16-November 30, 2022. VE was estimated using a test-negative design and logistic regression models adjusted for country, age, sex, presence of ≥1 comorbidity, and week of illness onset. VE estimates were stratified by influenza virus type and subtype (when available) and influenza vaccine target population, categorized as children, individuals with comorbidities, and older adults, defined per countries' national immunization policies. RESULTS: Among the 3,147 SARI cases, there were 382 (12.1%) influenza test-positive case-patients; 328 (85.9%) influenza case-patients were in Chile, 33 (8.6%) were in Paraguay, and 21 (5.5%) were in Uruguay. In all countries, the predominant subtype was influenza A(H3N2) (92.6% of influenza cases). Adjusted VE against any influenza-associated SARI hospitalization was 33.8% (95% CI: 15.3%, 48.2%); VE against influenza A(H3N2)-associated SARI hospitalization was 30.4% (95% CI: 10.1%, 46.0%). VE estimates were similar across target populations. CONCLUSION: During the 2022 influenza season, influenza vaccination reduced the odds of hospitalization among those vaccinated by one-third. Health officials should encourage influenza vaccination in accordance with national recommendations. |
Severity of influenza illness by seasonal influenza vaccination status among hospitalised patients in four South American countries, 2013-19: a surveillance-based cohort study
Regan AK , Arriola CS , Couto P , Duca L , Loayza S , Nogareda F , de Almeida WAF , Antman J , Araya S , Avendaño Vigueras MA , Battaglia Paredes SC , Brstilo IF , Bustos P , Fandiño ME , Fasce R , Giovacchini CM , González Caro CI , von Horoch M , Del Valle Juarez M , Katz N , Olivares MF , da Silva DA , da Silva ET , Sotomayor V , Vergara N , Azziz-Baumgartner E , Ropero AM . Lancet Infect Dis 2022 23 (2) 222-232 BACKGROUND: Although several studies have reported attenuated influenza illness following influenza vaccination, results have been inconsistent and have focused predominantly on adults in the USA. This study aimed to evaluate the severity of influenza illness by vaccination status in a broad range of influenza vaccine target groups across multiple South American countries. METHODS: We analysed data from four South American countries (Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Paraguay) participating in REVELAC-i, a multicentre, test-negative design, vaccine effectiveness network including 41 sentinel hospitals. Individuals hospitalised at one of these centres with severe acute respiratory infection were tested for influenza by real-time RT-PCR, and were included in the analysis if they had complete information about their vaccination status and outcomes of their hospital stay. We used multivariable logistic regression weighted by inverse probability of vaccination and adjusted for antiviral use, duration of illness before admission, and calendar week, to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of intensive care unit (ICU) admission and in-hospital death (and combinations of these outcomes) among influenza-positive patients by vaccination status for three target groups: young children (aged 6-24 months), adults (aged 18-64 years) with pre-existing health conditions, and older adults (aged ≥65 years). Survival curves were used to compare length of hospital stay by vaccination status in each target group. FINDINGS: 2747 patients hospitalised with PCR-confirmed influenza virus infection between Jan 1, 2013, and Dec 8, 2019, were included in the study: 649 children (70 [10·8%] fully vaccinated, 193 [29·7%] partially vaccinated) of whom 87 (13·4%) were admitted to ICU and 12 (1·8%) died in hospital; 520 adults with pre-existing medical conditions (118 [22·7%] vaccinated), of whom 139 (26·7%) were admitted to ICU and 55 (10·6%) died in hospital; and 1578 older adults (609 [38·6%] vaccinated), of whom 271 (17·2%) were admitted to ICU and 220 (13·9%) died in hospital. We observed earlier discharge among partially vaccinated children (adjusted hazard ratio 1·14 [95% CI 1·01-1·29]), fully vaccinated children (1·24 [1·04-1·47]), and vaccinated adults with pre-existing medical conditions (1·78 [1·18-2·69]) compared with their unvaccinated counterparts, but not among vaccinated older adults (0·82 [0·65-1·04]). Compared with unvaccinated individuals, lower odds of ICU admission were found for partially vaccinated children (aOR 0·64 [95% CI 0·44-0·92]) and fully vaccinated children (0·52 [0·28-0·98]), but not for adults with pre-existing conditions (1·25 [0·93-1·67]) or older adults (0·88 [0·72-1·08]). Lower odds of in-hospital death (0·62 [0·50-0·78]) were found in vaccinated versus unvaccinated older adults, with or without ICU admission, but did not differ significantly in partially vaccinated (1·35 [0·57-3·20]) or fully vaccinated young children (0·88 [0·16-4·82]) or adults with pre-existing medical conditions (1·09 [0·73-1·63]) compared with the respective unvaccinated patient groups. INTERPRETATION: Influenza vaccination was associated with illness attenuation among those hospitalised with influenza, although results differed by vaccine target group. These findings might suggest that attenuation of disease severity might be specific to certain target groups, seasons, or settings. FUNDING: US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. TRANSLATIONS: For the Spanish and Portuguese translations of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section. |
Consistency of self-reported and documented historical influenza vaccination status of US healthcare workers
Regan AK , Wesley MG , Gaglani M , Kim SS , Edwards LJ , Murthy K , Jeddy Z , Naleway AL , Flannery B , Dawood FS , Groom H . Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2022 16 (5) 881-890 BACKGROUND: Healthcare personnel (HCP) are a priority group for annual influenza vaccination. Few studies have assessed the validity of recall of prior influenza vaccination status among HCP, especially for more than one preceding season. METHODS: Using data from a randomized controlled trial of influenza vaccination among 947 HCP from two US healthcare systems, we assessed agreement between participant self-report and administrative record documentation of influenza vaccination status during the preceding five influenza seasons; kappa coefficients and sensitivity values were calculated. Administrative record documentation was considered the gold standard. Documented vaccination sources included electronic medical records, employee health records, outside immunization providers, and the state immunization information system. RESULTS: Among 683 HCP with prior influenza immunization information, 89.7% (95% CI: 87.2%, 91.9%) of HCP were able to self-report their vaccination status for the season preceding the survey. By the fifth preceding season, 82.6% (95% CI: 79.5%, 85.3%) of HCP were able to self-report. Among HCP who self-reported their vaccination status, agreement between self-report and documented vaccination status ranged from 81.9% (95% CI: 77.2%, 86.7%) for the fifth season to 90.5% (95% CI: 87.2%, 93.9%) for the season preceding interview. HCP who received vaccine for only some of the preceding five seasons (18.3%) more commonly had 2 errors in their recall compared with those vaccinated all five preceding seasons (55.7% vs. 4.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported vaccination status is a reliable source for historical influenza vaccination information among HCP who are consistently vaccinated but less reliable for those with a history of inconsistent vaccination. |
Adverse Birth Outcomes Associated With Prepregnancy and Prenatal Electronic Cigarette Use
Regan AK , Bombard JM , O'Hegarty MM , Smith RA , Tong VT . Obstet Gynecol 2021 138 (1) 85-94 OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the risk of adverse birth outcomes among adults who use electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) before and during pregnancy. METHODS: Data from the 2016-2018 PRAMS (Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System) were used to assess the association between e-cigarette use during the 3 months before and last 3 months of pregnancy among 79,176 individuals with a recent live birth and the following birth outcomes: preterm birth, small for gestational age, and low birth weight (LBW). Adjusted prevalence ratios were generated using average marginal predictions from multivariable logistic regression models. Models were stratified by prenatal combustible cigarette smoking and frequency of e-cigarette use (daily or less than daily use). RESULTS: In the 3 months before pregnancy, 2.7% (95% CI 2.6-2.9%) of respondents used e-cigarettes; 1.1% (95% CI 1.0-1.2%) used e-cigarettes during the last 3 months of pregnancy. Electronic cigarette use before pregnancy was not associated with adverse birth outcomes. Electronic cigarette use during pregnancy was associated with increased prevalence of LBW compared with nonuse (8.1% vs 6.1%; adjusted prevalence ratio 1.33; 95% CI 1.06-1.66). Among respondents who did not also smoke combustible cigarettes during pregnancy (n=72,256), e-cigarette use was associated with higher prevalence of LBW (10.6%; adjusted prevalence ratio 1.88; 95% CI 1.38-2.57) and preterm birth (12.4%; adjusted prevalence ratio 1.69; 95% CI 1.20-2.39). When further stratified by frequency of e-cigarette use, associations were seen only for daily users. CONCLUSION: E-cigarette use during pregnancy, particularly when used daily by individuals who do not also smoke combustible cigarettes, is associated with adverse birth outcomes. |
An international cohort study of birth outcomes associated with hospitalized acute respiratory infection during pregnancy
Regan AK , Feldman B , Azziz-Baumgartner E , Naleway AL , Williams J , Wyant BE , Simmonds K , Effler PV , Booth S , Ball SW , Katz MA , Fink RV , Thompson MG , Chung H , Kwong JC , Fell DB . J Infect 2020 81 (1) 48-56 OBJECTIVES: Findings during the 2009 pandemic suggest severe maternal infection with pandemic influenza had adverse perinatal health consequences. Limited data exist evaluating the perinatal health effects of severe seasonal influenza and non-influenza infections during pregnancy. METHODS: A retrospective cohort of pregnant women from Australia, Canada, Israel, and the United States was established using birth records to identify pregnancies and birth outcomes and hospital and laboratory testing records to identify influenza and non-influenza associated acute respiratory or febrile illness (ARFI) hospitalizations. ARFI hospitalized women were matched to non-hospitalized women (1:4) by country and season of conception. Log-binomial logistic regression was used to estimate the relative risk (aRR) of preterm birth (PTB), small-for-gestational-age (SGA), and low birthweight (LBW) birth, adjusting for pre-existing medical conditions, maternal age, and parity. RESULTS: 950 pregnant women hospitalized with an ARFI were matched with 3,800 non-hospitalized pregnant women. Compared to non-hospitalized women, risk of PTB was greater among women hospitalized with influenza-associated ARFI (aRR: 1.57; 95% CI: 1.15-2.15) and non-influenza ARFI (aRR: 2.78; 95% CI: 2.12-3.65). Similar results were observed for LBW; there were no associations with SGA birth. CONCLUSIONS: ARFI hospitalization during pregnancy was associated with increased risk of PTB and LBW. |
Epidemiology and clinical outcomes of hospitalizations for acute respiratory or febrile illness and laboratory-confirmed influenza among pregnant women during six influenza seasons, 2010-2016
Dawood FS , Garg S , Fink RV , Russell ML , Regan AK , Katz MA , Booth S , Chung H , Klein NP , Kwong JC , Levy A , Naleway A , Riesel D , Thompson MG , Wyant BE , Fell DB . J Infect Dis 2019 221 (10) 1703-1712 BACKGROUND: Pregnant women are at increased risk of seasonal influenza hospitalizations, but data about the epidemiology of severe influenza among pregnant women remain largely limited to pandemics. METHODS: To describe the epidemiology of hospitalizations for acute respiratory infection or febrile illness (ARFI) and influenza-associated ARFI among pregnant women, administrative and electronic health record data were analyzed from retrospective cohorts of pregnant women hospitalized with ARFI who had testing for influenza viruses by RT-PCR in Australia, Canada, Israel and the United States during 2010-2016. RESULTS: Of 18,048 ARFI-coded hospitalizations, 1,064 (6%) included RT-PCR testing for influenza viruses, of which 614 (58%) were influenza-positive. Of 614 influenza-positive ARFI hospitalizations, 35% were in women with low socioeconomic status, 20% with underlying conditions, and 67% in their third trimesters. The median length of influenza-positive hospitalizations was 2 days (IQR 1-4), 18% (95% confidence interval (CI) 15-21%) resulted in delivery, 10% (95% CI 8-12%) included a pneumonia diagnosis, 5% (95% CI 3-6%) required intensive care, 2% (95% CI 1-3%) included a sepsis diagnosis, and <1% (95% CI 0-1%) resulted in respiratory failure. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings characterize seasonal influenza hospitalizations among pregnant women and can inform assessments of the public health and economic impact of seasonal influenza on pregnant women. |
Estimating vaccine effectiveness against hospitalized influenza during pregnancy: Multicountry protocol for a retrospective cohort study
Naleway AL , Ball S , Kwong JC , Wyant BE , Katz MA , Regan AK , Russell ML , Klein NP , Chung H , Simmonds KA , Azziz-Baumgartner E , Feldman BS , Levy A , Fell DB , Drews SJ , Garg S , Effler P , Barda N , Irving SA , Shifflett P , Jackson ML , Thompson MG . JMIR Res Protoc 2019 8 (1) e11333 BACKGROUND: Although pregnant women are believed to have elevated risks of severe influenza infection and are targeted for influenza vaccination, no study to date has examined influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) against laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations during pregnancy, primarily because this outcome poses many methodological challenges. OBJECTIVE: The Pregnancy Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network (PREVENT) was formed in 2016 as an international collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Abt Associates; and study sites in Australia, Canada, Israel, and the United States. The primary goal of this collaboration is to estimate IVE in preventing acute respiratory or febrile illness (ARFI) hospitalizations associated with laboratory-confirmed influenza virus infection during pregnancy. Secondary aims include (1) describing the incidence, clinical course, and severity of influenza-associated ARFI hospitalization during pregnancy; (2) comparing the characteristics of ARFI-hospitalized pregnant women who were tested for influenza with those who were not tested; (3) describing influenza vaccination coverage in pregnant women; and (4) comparing birth outcomes among women with laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalization versus other noninfluenza ARFI hospitalizations. METHODS: For an initial assessment of IVE, sites identified a retrospective cohort of pregnant women aged from 18 to 50 years whose pregnancies overlapped with local influenza seasons from 2010 to 2016. Pregnancies were defined as those that ended in a live birth or stillbirth of at least 20 weeks gestation. The analytic sample for the primary IVE analysis was restricted to pregnant women who were hospitalized for ARFI during site-specific influenza seasons and clinically tested for influenza virus infection using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: We identified approximately 2 million women whose pregnancies overlapped with influenza seasons; 550,344 had at least one hospitalization during this time. After restricting to women who were hospitalized for ARFI and tested for influenza, the IVE analytic sample included 1005 women. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to addressing the primary question about the effectiveness of influenza vaccination, PREVENT data will address other important knowledge gaps including understanding the incidence, clinical course, and severity of influenza-related hospitalizations during pregnancy. The data infrastructure and international partnerships created for these analyses may be useful and informative for future influenza studies. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/11333. |
Influenza vaccine effectiveness in preventing influenza-associated hospitalizations during pregnancy: A multi-country retrospective test negative design study, 2010-2016
Thompson MG , Kwong JC , Regan AK , Katz MA , Drews SJ , Azziz-Baumgartner E , Klein NP , Chung H , Effler PV , Feldman BS , Simmonds K , Wyant BE , Dawood FS , Jackson ML , Fell DB , Levy A , Barda N , Svenson LW , Fink RV , Ball SW , Naleway A . Clin Infect Dis 2018 68 (9) 1444-1453 Background: To date, no study has examined influenza vaccine effectiveness (IVE) against laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations during pregnancy. Methods: The Pregnancy Influenza Vaccine Effectiveness Network (PREVENT) consisted of public health or healthcare systems with integrated laboratory, medical, and vaccination records in Australia, Canada (Alberta and Ontario), Israel, and the United States (California, Oregon, and Washington). Sites identified pregnant women aged 18 through 50 years whose pregnancies overlapped with local influenza seasons from 2010 through 2016. Administrative data were used to identify hospitalizations with acute respiratory or febrile illness (ARFI) and clinician-ordered real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) testing for influenza viruses. Overall IVE was estimated using the test-negative design and adjusting for site, season, season timing, and high-risk medical conditions. Results: Among 19450 hospitalizations with an ARFI discharge diagnosis (across 25 site-specific study seasons), only 1030 (6%) of the pregnant women were tested for influenza viruses by rRT-PCR. Approximately half of these women had pneumonia or influenza discharge diagnoses (54%). Influenza A or B virus infections were detected in 598/1030 (58%) of the ARFI hospitalizations with influenza testing. Across sites and seasons, 13% of rRT-PCR-confirmed influenza-positive pregnant women were vaccinated compared with 22% of influenza-negative pregnant women; the adjusted overall IVE was 40% (95% confidence interval = 12%-59%) against influenza-associated hospitalization during pregnancy. Conclusion: Between 2010 and 2016, influenza vaccines offered moderate protection against laboratory-confirmed influenza-associated hospitalizations during pregnancy, which may further inform the benefits of maternal influenza vaccination programs. |
Respiratory syncytial virus hospitalization during pregnancy in four high-income countries, 2010-2016
Regan AK , Klein NP , Langley G , Drews SJ , Buchan S , Ball S , Kwong JC , Naleway A , Thompson M , Wyant BE , Levy A , Chung H , Feldman B , Katz M . Clin Infect Dis 2018 67 (12) 1915-1918 Few studies have addressed respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection during pregnancy. Among 846 pregnant women hospitalized with respiratory illness and tested for RSV, 21 (2%) were RSV positive, of whom 8 (38%) were diagnosed with pneumonia. Despite study limitations, these data can help inform decisions about RSV prevention strategies. |
Smokeless and flavored tobacco products in the U.S. 2009 styles survey results
Regan AK , Dube SR , Arrazola R . Am J Prev Med 2012 42 (1) 29-36 BACKGROUND: A number of noncigarette tobacco products, including some novel products, recently have been marketed by the tobacco industry, which raises concerns from tobacco control authorities. PURPOSE: This study aimed to assess current popularity of several noncigarette tobacco products in the U.S. METHODS: In 2009, a total of 10,587 adults completed a consumer mail-in survey (ConsumerStyles). Based on survey results, the weighted percentages of adults who heard and tried snus, dissolvable tobacco products, flavored little cigars, and flavored cigarettes were computed in 2010. A subset of this sample (n=4556) completed the HealthStyles survey, which included items about health perceptions of these products and use in the past 30 days. RESULTS: The percentage of U.S. adults in the sample who were aware of these products ranged from 10.4% (dissolvable tobacco) to 44.6% (flavored little cigars). One third of adults who had heard of flavored little cigars tried them and 10.1% had used them in the past 30 days; among those who had heard of them, 27.4% tried flavored cigarettes and 12.6% tried snus. In general, young adults, men, and smokers were most likely to have heard of each product. At least one third of adults were uncertain if these products were as harmful as cigarettes (range=37.3% [snus] to 50.3% [dissolvable tobacco]). CONCLUSIONS: The awareness of these tobacco products in this sample varied. Groups with a higher prevalence of smoking and tobacco use (e.g., men, people with low levels of education) may be a target audience for marketing and promotions. As availability of products change, continued surveillance is warranted in the U.S. |
Electronic nicotine delivery systems: adult use and awareness of the 'e-cigarette' in the USA
Regan AK , Promoff G , Dube SR , Arrazola R . Tob Control 2011 22 (1) 19-23 BACKGROUND: Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), also referred to as electronic cigarettes or e-cigarettes, were introduced into the US market in 2007. Despite concerns regarding the long-term health impact of this product, there is little known about awareness and use of ENDS among adults in the USA. METHODS: A consumer-based mail-in survey (ConsumerStyles) was completed by 10,587 adults (≥18 years) in 2009 and 10,328 adults in 2010. Data from these surveys were used to monitor awareness, ever use and past month use of ENDS from 2009 to 2010 and to assess demographic characteristics and tobacco use of ENDS users. RESULTS: In this US sample, awareness of ENDS doubled from 16.4% in 2009 to 32.2% in 2010 and ever use more than quadrupled from 2009 (0.6%) to 2010 (2.7%). Ever use of ENDS was most common among women and those with lower education, although these were not the groups who had heard of ENDS most often. Current smokers and tobacco users were most likely to try ENDS. However, current smokers who had tried ENDS did not say they planned to quit smoking more often than smokers who had never tried them. CONCLUSIONS: Given the large increase in awareness and ever use of ENDS during this 1-year period and the unknown impact of ENDS use on cigarette smoking behaviours and long-term health, continued monitoring of these products is needed. |
Perceptions of menthol cigarette use among U.S. adults and adult smokers: findings from the 2009 HealthStyles survey
Davis SP , McClave-Regan AK , Rock VJ , Kruger J , Garrett BE . Nicotine Tob Res 2010 12 Suppl 2 S125-35 INTRODUCTION: Perceptions of menthol cigarette use may have implications for smoking initiation and cessation. This study explores harm and health perceptions of menthol cigarette use among a national sample of U.S. adults and current smokers. METHODS: We examined data from the 2009 HealthStyles survey (n = 4,556), an annual mail survey of adults ≥18 years of age that collects information on attitudes and behaviors, including smoking. Frequencies and weighted percentages were calculated by sex, race/ethnicity, age, education level, household income, and smoking status. Unadjusted odds ratios (OR) were used to compare perceptions of menthol cigarette use between demographic groups. RESULTS: Close to half of adults (45.8%) believed that menthol cigarettes are just as harmful as nonmenthol cigarettes, and 40.9% of adults did not know whether menthol cigarettes are more or less harmful than nonmenthol cigarettes. Few adults (0.6%), including smokers, perceived menthol cigarettes to be less harmful than nonmenthol cigarettes. Blacks (OR = 3.22, 95% CI = 1.80-5.76) were more likely to believe that menthol cigarettes have health benefits when compared with Whites. Almost half of current smokers believed menthol cigarettes are equally addictive as nonmenthol cigarettes and 74.9% believed menthol and nonmenthol cigarettes are equally hard to quit. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest directions for targeted public health messages for menthol cigarette use. Future research is needed among a nationally representative sample to capture more subtle differences in perceptions among menthol and nonmenthol smokers. |
Smokers who are also using smokeless tobacco products in the US: a national assessment of characteristics, behaviours and beliefs of 'dual users'
McClave-Regan AK , Berkowitz J . Tob Control 2010 20 (3) 239-42 BACKGROUND: Marketing and advertising of smokeless tobacco products towards cigarette smokers has increased recently. Because the use of multiple tobacco products is a growing public health concern, the present work assesses the use of smokeless tobacco among cigarette smokers, a behaviour termed as 'dual use', as well as attitudes and beliefs on their 'dual use' of tobacco. METHODS: Data were used from the 2008 ConsumerStyles survey, a nationally representative, mail-in survey of consumers in the USA (n=10 108). RESULTS: 'Dual use' was more common among cigarette smokers who were young, white men living in the Midwest or South. The majority of 'dual users' reported using smokeless tobacco in places where they could not smoke (67.7%) and did not believe smokeless tobacco would help in quitting smoking (75.1%). 'Dual users' reported planning to quit within the next 6 months less often than adults who smoke cigarettes exclusively and close to half (42.3%) never plan to quit smoking. CONCLUSIONS: Tobacco use is attributed to a number of diseases and deaths worldwide, and cessation of tobacco use can reduce these health risks. The prevalent use of smokeless tobacco in places with smoking restrictions and lack of planning to quit by 'dual users' suggest the need to promote cessation among these users. |
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