Developing an Alaska Native adult tobacco survey

Acknowledging the high prevalence of tobacco use among most Alaska Native groups, CDC/OSH developed the Alaska Native Adult Tobacco Survey (AN ATS) in a cooperative agreement effort with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. The AN ATS is designed to obtain comprehensive information on Alaska Natives' tobacco behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and opinions in a relevant cultural context. The questionnaire was cognitively tested with all five major Alaska Native ethnic groups (Cupik/Yupik, Aleut/Aluetiiq, Athabascan, Eyak/Tlingit/Tsimschian/Haida and Inupiaq) and was designed to measure the tobacco-related behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and opinions of specific Alaska Native groups. It can be used to guide Alaska Native tobacco control efforts and to narrow existing gaps in tobacco use among different Alaska Native groups. It collects information on use of the following tobacco products: cigarettes, cigars, pipe, chewing tobacco, iqmik and snuff tobacco as well as information about secondhand smoke exposure, risk perceptions about tobacco products, and a socio-demographic section. It also offers the opportunity to add additional questions selected by the group administering it. The survey has been fielded in two sites in Alaska in collaboration with the Aleutian Pribilof Island Area Association (APIA). Reports of the initial findings will be provided to the APIA and the two sites for local level decision making. The survey tool and an Interviewer Training manual are ready for distribution and future plans include the development and dissemination of an Implementation Manual by mid 2008. All tools will be posted on the CDC website.