Drug and Alcohol Multicultural Education Centre, Sydney, Australia.
NSW Health Education Centre Against Violence, North Parramatta, Australia.
J Ethn Subst Abuse. 2022 Jul-Sep;21(3):1010-1028. doi: 10.1080/15332640.2020.1824837. Epub 2020 Sep 29.
Use of tobacco products is higher in Arabic-speaking communities in Australia, compared to other populations. 70 persons identifying as being from Arabic-speaking communities in Western Sydney participated in focus group discussions to explore experiences and needs relating to tobacco, alcohol and other drug treatment. Tobacco was rated as the substance of highest concern in this sample, however a pattern of change was observed. Widespread cigarette use supported by gendered norms that particularly encouraged smoking among men was shifting, with some decline in the social acceptability of cigarette smoking linked to experience of health impacts and the financial cost to families. In contrast, waterpipe tobacco smoking was described as a common and acceptable practice across age and gender cohorts, despite some participants challenging the cultural and health rationales of this practice. Preventing tobacco-related harm among younger populations was highly valued among study participants, drawing on strong support for families as key influencer of health behaviors. Cessation strategies viewed as effective among community members spoken with commonly centered upon the notion of individual willpower, and appreciated the disincentivising impacts of high taxation on cigarettes. This study prioritizes community-informed perspectives for reducing tobacco related harms amongst Arabic-speaking populations in Australia and offers direction to health promoters, public health workers and policymakers. Results indicate opportunities exist to improve tobacco control outcomes through strategies that align prevention and treatment options with relevant community beliefs and norms, and build on existing harm reduction behaviors and support seeking behaviors.
在澳大利亚，讲阿拉伯语的社区使用烟草制品的比例高于其他人群。来自西悉尼阿拉伯语社区的 70 人参加了焦点小组讨论，探讨与烟草、酒精和其他药物治疗相关的经验和需求。在这个样本中，烟草被评为最令人关注的物质，但观察到了一种变化模式。以性别规范为支撑的广泛吸烟现象，特别是鼓励男性吸烟的现象正在发生变化，一些人因健康影响和家庭经济成本而对吸烟的社会接受程度有所下降。相比之下，水烟烟草的吸烟被描述为跨越年龄和性别群体的常见和可接受的做法，尽管一些参与者对这种做法的文化和健康合理性提出了质疑。研究参与者非常重视在年轻人群中预防与烟草有关的伤害，强烈支持家庭作为健康行为的主要影响者。被认为对社区成员有效的戒烟策略通常集中在个人意志力的概念上，并赞赏高税收对香烟的抑制作用。本研究优先考虑社区知情的观点，以减少澳大利亚讲阿拉伯语人群的烟草相关伤害，并为健康促进者、公共卫生工作者和政策制定者提供指导。研究结果表明，通过将预防和治疗选择与相关社区信仰和规范保持一致的策略，并利用现有的减少伤害行为和支持寻求行为，有可能改善烟草控制结果。
