Educational disparities in rates of smoking among diabetic adults: the translating research into action for diabetes study. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • OBJECTIVES: We assessed educational disparities in smoking rates among adults with diabetes in managed care settings. METHODS: We used a cross-sectional, survey-based (2002-2003) observational study among 6538 diabetic patients older than 25 years across multiple managed care health plans and states. For smoking at each level of self-reported educational attainment, predicted probabilities were estimated by means of hierarchical logistic regression models with random intercepts for health plan, adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Overall, 15% the participants reported current smoking. An educational gradient in smoking was observed that varied significantly (P<.003) across age groups, with the educational gradient being strong in those aged 25 to 44 years, modest in those aged 45 to 64 years, and nonexistent in those aged 65 years or older. Of particular note, the prevalence of smoking observed in adults aged 25-44 years with less than a high school education was 50% (95% confidence interval: 36% to 63%). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately half of poorly educated young adults with diabetes smoke, magnifying the health risk associated with early-onset diabetes. Targeted public health interventions for smoking prevention and cessation among young, poorly educated people with diabetes are needed.

publication date

  • June 28, 2007

Research

keywords

  • Diabetes Mellitus
  • Educational Status
  • Smoking

Identity

PubMed Central ID

  • PMC2376886

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 39649095196

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.2105/AJPH.2005.083501

PubMed ID

  • 17600269

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 98

issue

  • 2