Year of Publication
2015
College
Public Health
Date Available
4-27-2015
Degree Name
Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)
Committee Member
Kathryn Cardarelli, PhD
Advisor
Linda Alexander, EdD
Co-Director of Graduate Studies
Corrine Williams, ScD
Abstract
Introduction: Approximately 443,000 people die from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke, and another 8.6 million people have a serious smoking-related illness, which costs nearly $96 billion in health-care expenditures and $97 billion in productivity losses annually in the United States. This study examined the association between alcohol consumption and smoking status, and how psychological distress can affect this association. Methods: Data come from the 2013 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). We used binary logistic regression models to compute adjusted odds ratios between alcohol consumption and smoking status, controlling for age, gender, race, education, and income. We used chi-square model to test whether psychological distress affects the association between alcohol consumption and smoking status. Results: In comparison with non-drinkers, light drinkers were 1.26 times more likely to be everyday smokers (adjusted OR=1.26; 95%CI=1.23, 1.29), 1.59 times more likely to be someday smokers (adjusted OR=1.59; 95%CI=1.59, 1.65) and 1.49 times more likely to be former smokers (adjusted OR=1.49; 95%CI=1.47, 1.51). In comparison with non-drinkers, heavy drinkers were 3.03 times more likely to be everyday smokers (adjusted OR=3.03; 95%CI=2.94, 3.12), 3.10 times more likely to be someday smokers (adjusted OR=3.10; 95%CI=2.96, 3.24) and 2.44 times more likely to be former smokers (adjusted OR=2.44; 95%CI=2.38, 2.50). Discussion: We found that those who were light drinkers or heavy drinkers were more likely to be former smokers, someday smokers and everyday smokers than non-drinkers, even after controlling for possible con-founders. There was a surprising result that psychological distress did not significantly affect the relation between alcohol consumption and smoking status.
Recommended Citation
Zhan, Guangxing, "Examining Alcohol Consumption, Psychological Distress, and Current Smoking Status: Results from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2013" (2015). Theses and Dissertations--Public Health (M.P.H. & Dr.P.H.). 36.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/cph_etds/36
