Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #102205

Grace X. Ma, PhD, Associate Professor of Public Health, Department of Public Health, Director of Center for Asian Health, Temple University, 304A Vivacqua Hall, P.O. Box 2843, Philadelphia, PA 19122-0843, 215-204-5108, grace.ma@temple.edu, Yin Tan, MD, MPH, Project Manager and Research Associate, Center for Asian Health, Department of Public Health, Temple University, 304A Vivacqua Hall, P.O. Box 2843, Philadelphia, PA 19122-0843, Yajia Lan, M D, Ph D, Professor, Huaxi School of Public Health, Sichuan University, 17, 3rd Section, South Renmin Road, Chengdu, 610044, China, Steve Shive, PhD, MPH, Research Associate of Center for Asian Health, Department of Public Health, Assistant Professor of Community Health, East Stroudsburg University, 200 Prospect St., East Stroudsburg, PA 18301-2999, Jamil Toubbeh, PhD, Adjunct Professor, Department of Public Health, Senior Researcher, Center for Asian Health, Temple University, 304A Vivacqua Hall, PO Box 2843, Philadelphia, PA 19122, and Ping Wang, MD, PhD (c), Research Assistant, Center for Asian Health, Department of Public Health, College of Health Professions, Temple University, 304A Vivacqua Hall, P.O. Box 2843, Philadelphia, PA 19122-0843.

Problem/ Objective: The US and China are leading consumers of tobacco products worldwide. Chinese who have immigrated to the US have high rates of smoking compared to other immigrant groups. People of Chinese ethnicity living in these two countries navigate different socio-economic systems with diverse cultural values and beliefs, which often influence their attitudes and behaviors regarding tobacco use. However, among the large body of research on tobacco use and its health consequences among Chinese Americans, few studies are cross-national or cross-cultural.

Methods: A comparative cross-sectional method was used for this study. The study sample was identified by using a stratified-cluster sampling technique. A questionnaire was developed in English, and then translated into Chinese. A total of 1220 participants completed the study, 812 in China, and 408 in U.S. Both descriptive and inferential statistical tests were employed in data analysis.

Results: Findings cover comprehensive comparison data on tobacco use, smoking cessation, and environmental tobacco smoke exposure between Chinese in China and Chinese Americans.

Conclusions: Findings of this study provide exploratory information for health professionals in better understanding similarities and differences in tobacco issues among Chinese in the US and China, as well as provide the basis for future direction of the development of culturally appropriate tobacco intervention strategies in both countries.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the similarities and differences in smoking behaviors and attitudes between Chinese Americans and Chinese residing in China will be apparent to the audience.

Keywords: International Public Health, Tobacco

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.