Public Health
Volume 123, Issue 11, 2009, Pages 743-749

Smoking patterns among Chinese rural-urban migrant workers (Article)

Yang T.* , Wu J. , Rockett I.R.H. , Abdullah A.S. , Beard J. , Ye J.
  • a Centre for Tobacco Control Research, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, 310058, China
  • b WHO Collaborating Centre for Research in Human Reproduction Unit of Epidemiology, Shanghai, China
  • c Injury Control Research Center, Department of Community Medicine, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, United States
  • d Department of International Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
  • e Department of International Health, Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, United States
  • f WHO Collaborating Centre for Research in Human Reproduction Unit of Epidemiology, Shanghai, China

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate smoking prevalence and identify correlates of smoking initiation among rural-urban migrant workers. Study design: Subjects were 4198 rural-urban migrant workers, aged 18 years and older, residing in three Chinese cities. Methods: Participants were identified through multistage quota sampling. They were asked about their migration history, pre-migration and post-migration smoking status, employment and home life. Analyses were conducted using Chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression. Results: Overall, smoking prevalence was higher subsequent to migration (28.4%) compared with before migration (20.8%) (P < 0.01). Initiation of daily smoking was associated with gender [odds ratio (OR) 0.02]; high school or greater education (OR 0.48; vs elementary school or lower); having a monthly personal income of 1000-1999 Yuan (OR 2.60), 2000-2999 Yuan (OR 3.08) or ≥3000 Yuan (OR 4.04) (vs <500 Yuan US$ 1 = 7.5 Yuan); and history of migration to three cities (OR:1.65) or four or more cities (OR 2.80) (vs one city). Initiation of occasional smoking was only associated with gender (OR 0.11). Solitude was the primary situational trigger for smoking initiation. Conclusions: A migratory lifestyle is associated with smoking initiation. Findings could inform the design of tobacco control programmes that would target Chinese rural-urban migrant workers as a special population. © 2009 The Royal Society for Public Health.

Author Keywords

Rural-urban migrant workers smoking Smoking initiation

Index Keywords

urban population urban area China rural area educational status lifestyle Chinese regression analysis Sampling Studies human social isolation sex difference middle aged rural population controlled study Logistic Models Young Adult migrant worker social status Humans smoking male urban rural difference Chi-Square Distribution female Socioeconomic Factors Article Questionnaires adult migration Sex Factors estimation method Emigration and Immigration Transients and Migrants smoking habit Nicotiana tabacum

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-70649093795&doi=10.1016%2fj.puhe.2009.09.021&partnerID=40&md5=2d45a48aff47456d2d0b742cf71cfc6a

DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2009.09.021
ISSN: 00333506
Cited by: 41
Original Language: English