The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #61349

Kristina Keck, MA, Emilia Lombardi, PhD, and Terry Burch. Tobacco Program, National Association of LGBT Community Centers, 12832 Garden Grove Blvd. Suite A, Garden Grove, CA 92843, 714-534-0862 ext. 316, Kristinak@thecenteroc.org

Tobacco use among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals is seen to be a major health issue by researchers and clinicians alike. Between May 2001 and June 2002, 24 focus groups were conducted in nine cities in year one and 22 focus groups in thirteen cities in year 2. Focus groups were facilitated for the most part by Tobacco Program staff and by volunteers in areas that tobacco staff where unable to travel to. All facilitators worked from a common set of questions. The principal investigator conducted the coding and analysis of the focus group transcripts. ATLAS.ti V4.2 was used to code the data and to conduct the analysis. The major categories that evolved from the data include: 1. The association between stress and tobacco use. 2. The role tobacco plays within social life. 3. Its association with other substances, namely alcohol. and 4. Issues around cessation and tobacco control.

Learning Objectives:

• What are the factors that are associated with tobacco use among LGBT individuals?
• What are the potential barriers to cessation?

Keywords: Tobacco,

Related Web page: www.lgbtcenters.org

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.