Heterogeneity in the smoking behavior of African American women.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the association between sociodemographic variables and smoking behavior patterns of African American women.

METHODS

Six years of data (N=14,903) from the National Health Interview Surveys were analyzed using multiple logistic regression.

RESULTS

African American women in the South were more likely to never smoke and to start smoking later than women in the Northeast. Positive smoking outcomes (never smoking, initiating smoking at later ages, and quitting) were associated with higher education, higher income, and being married.

CONCLUSIONS

Variations among African American women suggest the need for targeting specific subgroups at greater risks to reduce disparities in smoking and smoking-related diseases.