Abstinence rates among college cigarette smokers enrolled in a randomized clinical trial evaluating Quit and Win contests: The impact of concurrent hookah use.

OBJECTIVE: To examine baseline characteristics and biochemically verified 1-, 4-, and 6-month tobacco quit rates among college students enrolled in a Quit and Win cessation trial, comparing those who concurrently smoke both hookah and cigarettes with those who deny hookah use. METHODS: Analyses were conducted on data from 1217 college students enrolled in a Quit and Win tobacco cessation randomized clinical trial from 2010-2012. Multivariable logistic regression (MLR) analyses examined group differences in baseline characteristics and cotinine verified 30-day abstinence at 1, 4, and 6-month follow-up, adjusting for baseline covariates. RESULTS: Participants smoked 11.5(±8.1) cigarettes per day on 28.5(±3.8) days/month, and 22% smoked hookah in the past 30days. Hookah smokers (n=270) were more likely to be male (p<0.0001), younger (p<0.0001), report more binge drinking (p<0.0001) and score higher on impulsivity (p<0.001). MLR results indicate that hookah users, when compared to non-users, had a 36% decrease in odds of self-reported 30-day abstinence at 4-months (OR=0.64, 95% CI=0.45-0.93, p=0.02) and a 63% decrease in odds in biochemically verified continuous abstinence at 6-months (OR=0.37, CI=0.14-0.99, p=0.05). CONCLUSION: College cigarette smokers who concurrently use hookah display several health risk factors and demonstrate lower short and long-term tobacco abstinence rates.

Intent to quit among daily and non-daily college student smokers.

Given the high prevalence of young adult smoking, we examined (i) psychosocial factors and substance use among college students representing five smoking patterns and histories [non-smokers, quitters, native non-daily smokers (i.e. never daily smokers), converted non-daily smokers (i.e. former daily smokers) and daily smokers] and (ii) smoking category as it relates to readiness to quit among current smokers. Of the 4438 students at six Southeast colleges who completed an online survey, 69.7% (n = 3094) were non-smokers, 6.6% (n = 293) were quitters, 7.1% (n = 317) were native non-daily smokers, 6.4% (n = 283) were converted non-daily smokers and 10.2% (n = 451) were daily smokers. There were differences in sociodemographics, substance use (alcohol, marijuana, other tobacco products) in the past 30 days and psychosocial factors among these subgroups of students (P < 0.001). Among current smokers, there were differences in cigarettes smoked per day, recent quit attempts, self-identification as a smoker, self-efficacy and motivation to quit (P < 0.001). After controlling for important factors, converted non-daily smokers were more likely to be ready to quit in the next month versus native non-daily smokers (OR = 2.15, CI 1.32-3.49, P = 0.002). Understanding differences among young adults with different smoking patterns and histories is critical in developing interventions targeting psychosocial factors impacting cessation among this population.

Smoking patterns, attitudes and motives: unique characteristics among 2-year versus 4-year college students.

Given the previously documented higher rates of smoking among 2-year college students in comparison with 4-year university students, this study compares smoking patterns, attitudes and motives among 2-year and 4-year college students. Two thousand two hundred and sixty-five undergraduate students aged 18-25 years at a 2-year college and a 4-year university completed an online survey in 2008. Current (past 30-day) smoking was reported by 43.5% of 2-year and 31.9% of 4-year college students, and daily smoking was reported by 19.9% of 2-year and 8.3% of 4-year college students. Attending a 2-year college was associated with higher rates of current smoking [odds ratio (OR) = 1.72] and daily smoking (OR = 2.84), and with less negative attitudes regarding smoking, controlling for age, gender, ethnicity and parental education. Also, compared with 4-year college student smokers, 2-year college smokers had lower motivation to smoke for social reasons, but more motivation to smoke for affect regulation, after controlling for age, gender, ethnicity and parental education. Two- and 4-year college students report different smoking patterns, attitudes and motives. These distinctions might inform tobacco control messages and interventions targeting these groups of young adults.

Impact of volume guarantee ventilation on arterial carbon dioxide tension in newborn infants: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of the two modes of ventilation, synchronous intermittent positive pressure ventilation (SIPPV) and SIPPV with Volume Guarantee (VG), on arterial carbon dioxide tension (PaCO(2)) immediately after neonatal unit admission. STUDY DESIGN: Randomised study of ventilation mode for premature inborn infants admitted to two tertiary neonatal units. After admission, infants were randomised to receive either SIPPV or VG using a Dräger Babylog 8000 plus ventilator. In the SIPPV group, peak airway pressure was set clinically. In the VG group, desired tidal volume was set at 4 ml/kg, with the ventilator adjusting peak inspiratory pressure to deliver this volume. The study was completed once the first arterial PaCO(2) was available, with the desirable range defined as 5-7 kPa. RESULTS: PaCO(2) was significantly higher in the VG group (VG: 5.7 kPa, SIPPV: 4.9 kPa; p=0.03). The VG group had fewer out-of-range PaCO(2) values (VG: 42%, SIPPV: 57%) and fewer instances of hypocarbia <5 kPa (VG: 32%, SIPPV: 57%) but neither difference achieved statistical significance. Regression analysis showed PaCO(2) was negatively correlated with gestation (r=-0.41, p=0.01) and also with the mode of ventilation (r=0.32, p<0.05). In the VG group, all infants 23-25 weeks' gestation had out-of-range PaCO(2) values. VG significantly reduced the incidence of out-of-range PaCO(2) and hypocarbia in infants over 25 weeks' gestation (VG: 27%, SIPPV: 61%; p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Using this strategy, VG appears feasible in the initial stabilisation of infants over 25 weeks' gestation, with a halving of the incidence of hypocarbia. In the small number of babies studied below this gestation, VG was not found to be effective.

Predictors of expressed breast milk volume in mothers expressing milk for their preterm infant.

BACKGROUND: An understanding of predictors of breast milk production may enable the provision of better advice and support to mothers with preterm infants who may need to express milk for long periods. OBJECTIVE: To investigate factors predicting the amount of milk expressed by mothers for their preterm infant (1) during the first 10 days and (2) during the infant's whole hospital stay. METHODS: 62 mothers with preterm infants <34 weeks who participated in a randomised trial comparing two breast pumps completed 10-day diaries including weight of milk expressed and questionnaires giving their opinion of the breast pump; 47 mothers provided data on milk expression up to the infant's hospital discharge. RESULTS: Significant predictors of 10-day milk weight in multivariate models were the number of episodes of 'breast feeding' (17 g (95% CI 8 to 26, p=0.001) increase per episode), the use of double versus single pumping (109 (31-186, p=0.007) g/day more) and the number of complete daily records (17 (1-33, p=0.04) g increase/day). Significant multivariate predictors of total milk production were double versus single pumping (491 (55) mL/day vs 266 (44) mL/day), expressing 500 mL/day by day 10 (525 (53) mL/day vs 232 (43) mL/day) and a higher score for breast pump 'comfort' (best=489 (39) mL/day, middle=335 (57) mL/day, worst=311 (78) mL/day). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that relatively simple, modifiable factors can favourably impact milk production in the neonatal intensive care unit setting and emphasise the importance of double pumping, early establishment of milk production and design features of the breast pump that promote comfort. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT00887991.

Prevalence and correlates of preventive care among adults with diabetes in Kansas.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and correlates of recommended preventive care among adults with diabetes in Kansas. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted among a sample of adults (> or = 18 years of age) with self-reported diabetes. Recommended preventive care was defined based on four criteria: number of health-care provider (HCP) visits per year (> or = 4 for insulin users and > or = 2 for nonusers), number of foot examinations per year (> or = 4 for insulin users and > or = 2 for nonusers), an annual dilated eye examination, and a blood pressure measurement in the past 6 months. RESULTS: The mean age of the 640 respondents was 61 years, 58% were women, and 86% were white. In the preceding year, 62% of respondents reported the appropriate number of visits to a HCP 27% the appropriate number of foot examinations, 65% an annual dilated eye examination, and 89% a blood pressure measurement in the preceding 6 months. Only 17% (95% CI 14-20) met all four criteria for recommended care. The adjusted odds of receiving recommended care were higher for males than for females (odds ratio [OR] 1.6; 95% CI 1.1-2.5), higher for people whose HCP scheduled follow-up appointments than for those who self-initiated follow-up (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.6-4.8), and higher for former smokers than for current smokers (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.6-6.9). CONCLUSIONS: Preventive care for people with diabetes is not being delivered in compliance with current guidelines, especially for women and current smokers. Scheduling follow-up visits for patients, targeting certain high-risk populations, and developing protocols to improve foot care may be effective in improving care.

Cigarette smoking and severe uncontrolled hypertension in inner-city African Americans.

PURPOSE: Although over the past 2 decades great strides have been made in increasing the awareness, detection, and treatment of hypertension (HTN), actual control of blood pressure is far from optimal. We hypothesized that current cigarette smoking, by acting as a marker for poor health related behavioral patterns, would be significantly associated with uncontrolled blood pressure (BP). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Over a 3-month period in 1994, all patients who presented to a public hospital medical walk-in clinic were screened, and had their BP measured if they had been prescribed BP medication within 1 year and were aware of their diagnosis of HTN. Patients were defined as controlled hypertensives if both systolic BP and diastolic BP were < or = 140/90 mm Hg. Severe uncontrolled hypertensives were those with either systolic BP > or = 180 mm Hg or diastolic BP was > or = 110 mm Hg. RESULTS: Of the 221 patients meeting all inclusion criteria (1 refusal), 86 had uncontrolled HTN (mean BP = 192/106 mm Hg), 130 were controlled (mean BP = 130/80 mm Hg), and 5 were not African American. Severe uncontrolled hypertensives, when compared with controlled hypertensives, were significantly more likely to be current (versus former) smokers (odds ratio [OR] = 4.17; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.8 to 9.5), and be less compliant with medications (OR = 2.33; 95% CI: 1.3 to 4.1). Age, gender, alcohol use, marital status, education, and comorbidity were not associated with HTN control. In an adjusted logistic regression model, both current and never-smokers when compared with former smokers were significantly more likely to have uncontrolled HTN in compliant patients (OR = 14.4; 95% CI: 3.3 to 63.3 and OR = 5.7; 95% CI: 1.5 to 21.7, respectively). In noncompliant patients, smoking status was not associated with uncontrolled HTN. CONCLUSION: In disadvantaged African-American patients who report good medication compliance, former smoking status is strongly associated with HTN control. Physicians may need to be especially vigilant of BP control in patients who smoke.

Impact of smoking cessation on ambulatory blood pressure and heart rate in postmenopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Smoking and hypertension interact to increase the incidence of cardiovascular disease; however, little is known about the effects of smoking cessation on blood pressure (BP) control. We prospectively evaluated the impact of smoking cessation on clinic and ambulatory BP and heart rate (HR) in stage 1 hypertensive and normotensive postmenopausal women. METHODS: A total of 66 women were randomly assigned using a 3:1 randomization scheme to immediate smoking cessation or to a wait list control group. Clinic and ambulatory BP and HR, and 24-h urinary catecholamine concentrations were obtained at baseline and again at 6 weeks. Carbon monoxide levels and self-report were used to assess compliance with smoking cessation. RESULTS: Ambulatory monitoring showed that the awake SBP decreased by 3.6+/-1.9 mm Hg in the treated subjects who quit smoking (n=19), whereas in the control group (n=15) there was an increase of 1.7+/-2.4 mm Hg (P=.045). Awake HR decreased after smoking cessation by 7+/-1 beats/min and did not change (0+/-1 beat/min) in the control group (P=.001). Blood pressure and HR did not significantly change during sleep after smoking cessation. Changes in the awake HR correlated with changes in urinary epinephrine concentrations (r= 0.58, P=.001), and norepinephrine concentrations (r= 0.45, P=.001), There was no significant change in clinic systolic BP, diastolic BP, or HR between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking cessation reduces systolic BP and HR during the daytime, when patients typically smoke. These hemodynamic changes are due in part to reductions in sympathetic nervous system activity.

Smoking initiation and cessation in African Americans attending an inner-city walk-in clinic.

OBJECTIVES: Data collected from a population of African Americans were analyzed to examine patterns of smoking initiation, smoking cessation, and factors related to smoking cessation. METHODS: Over a 4-month period, all (N = 2,928) patients attending an inner-city medicine clinic were recruited to participate in a smoking intervention trial. Over 99% participated, providing information on their smoking experiences, including smoking status (current, former, or never a smoker), duration of regular smoking, and year of quitting when applicable. Data on African Americans with complete information on these variables (n = 2,428) were analyzed with respect to initiation and duration of smoking. RESULTS: More than half of African-American smokers in the population studied initiated regular smoking after age 19. Later age of initiation of smoking and female gender were associated with short duration smoking (i.e., quitting before 10 years of regular smoking); these variables, but not age, were identified as significant factors in a Cox Proportional Hazards model with duration of smoking as the outcome variable. CONCLUSIONS: A sizable opportunity for primary prevention of regular smoking appears to exist among African Americans aged 20 to 30 years as evidenced by patterns of smoking initiation in the population studied. The importance of age at initiation of regular smoking to the duration of smoking is demonstrated in this population over a wide range of duration.

Changes in oxygenation and heart rate after administration of artificial surfactant (ALEC) to preterm infants.

To determine if changes in oxygenation and heart rate occur after surfactant, changes in these variables were recorded continuously for 15 minutes before, during, and 15 minutes after the administration of the artificial surfactant ALEC to 21 preterm infants ventilated for respiratory distress syndrome. Median (range) birth weight and gestation were 1199 (561-2680) g and 28 (21-43) weeks, respectively. The mean (SD) time taken for administration was 17.6 (3.8) seconds. No clinically important changes resulted from the administration of ALEC in the mean (SD) values for oxygen saturation (before 91.3 (3.4)%, during 90.7 (3.2)%, after 90.4 (3.7)% and heart rate (before 143 (15), during 138 (17), after 142 (16)). The maximum change in mean arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) was a fall of 4.8%.

Computerised determination of spontaneous inspiratory and expiratory times in premature neonates during intermittent positive pressure ventilation. I: A new technique.

A pneumatic capsule applied to the sub-xiphisternum provides a signal of spontaneous respiratory effort. Purpose-written software analyses this waveform to determine spontaneous inspiratory and expiratory times. Algorithms reject artefacts. The computerised system allows continuous measurement of spontaneous inspiratory and expiratory times to be made during intermittent positive pressure ventilation. The accuracy of the system was measured in 17 infants ventilated for respiratory distress syndrome: median (range) gestation and birth weight were 31 (25-38) weeks and 1195 (506-3260) g. The new technique can measure inspiratory time of individual breaths with a mean error of 5.4% and expiratory time with a mean error of 1.6%.

Computerised determination of spontaneous inspiratory and expiratory times in premature neonates during intermittent positive pressure ventilation. II: Results from 20 babies.

Twenty premature infants ventilated for respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) were studied using a new computerised technique to determine spontaneous inspiratory and expiratory times. The technique is continuous and non-invasive. Infants were studied during intermittent positive pressure ventilation for periods of up to 45 minutes. Median birth weight and gestation were 1477 g and 30 weeks. The median number of breaths analysed for each baby was 925. The median (range) for spontaneous inspiratory time was 0.30 (0.26 to 0.34) seconds and for spontaneous expiratory time it was 0.46 (0.34 to 0.66) seconds. The spontaneous inspiratory and expiratory times were different from the ventilator settings.

Knowledge about smoking, reasons for smoking, and reasons for wishing to quit in inner-city African Americans.

OBJECTIVE: To determine knowledge about smoking, reasons for smoking, and reasons for wishing to quit and the association of these variables with abstinence at ten weeks and six months. DESIGN: Descriptive study and longitudinal intervention. SETTING: Inner-city public hospital clinics. PARTICIPANTS: 410 African-American cigarette smokers interested in quitting were surveyed at baseline and subsequently enrolled into a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of the transdermal nicotine patch. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Descriptive information about smoking knowledge, reasons for smoking, and reasons for wishing to quit, and association of these variables with abstinence at 10 weeks and 6 months. RESULTS: Among the 410 patients randomized, mean age was 48 years, 61% were female, 41% had less than a high school education, 51% had an annual household income less than $8,000, and the average number of cigarettes smoked a day was twenty. The average number of questions answered correctly was nine out of eleven (84%). The most cited reason for smoking was relaxation/tension reduction and the least cited were stimulation and handling of the cigarette. Ninety-nine percent of patients stated they wished to quit for health reasons. Knowledge, reasons for smoking, and reasons for wishing to quit were not significantly associated with 10-week or 6-month abstinence. CONCLUSIONS: In this group of inner-city African-American smokers, knowledge about cigarette smoking was high. Reasons for smoking were related to relaxation, craving, and pleasure, and reasons for wishing to quit were largely health-related. Knowledge, reasons for smoking, and reasons for wishing to quit were not associated with 10 week or 6 month abstinence. Since knowledge about smoking is already high, future efforts should be directed at promoting cessation through proven behavioral and pharmacological approaches, rather than didactic patient education.

Cultural sensitivity in public health: defined and demystified.

There is consensus that health promotion programs should be culturally sensitive (CS). Yet, despite the ubiquitous nature of CS within public health research and practice, there has been surprisingly little attention given to defining CS or delineating a framework for developing culturally sensitive programs and practitioners. This paper describes a model for understanding CS from a public health perspective; describes a process for applying this model in the development of health promotion and disease prevention interventions; and highlights research priorities. Cultural sensitivity is defined by two dimensions: surface and deep structures. Surface structure involves matching intervention materials and messages to observable, "superficial" characteristics of a target population. This may involve using people, places, language, music, food, locations, and clothing familiar to, and preferred by, the target audience. Surface structure refers to how well interventions fit within a specific culture. Deep structure involves incorporating the cultural, social, historical, environmental and psychological forces that influence the target health behavior in the proposed target population. Whereas surface structure generally increases the "receptivity" or "acceptance" of messages, deep structure conveys salience. Techniques, borrowed from social marketing and health communication theory, for developing culturally sensitive interventions are described. Research is needed to determine the effectiveness of culturally sensitive programs.

Smoking in urban African Americans: behaviors, gender differences, and motivation to quit.

OBJECTIVE: This study describes smoking behaviors and gender differences, and correlates these factors with motivation to quit smoking among African-American smokers at a community-based health center. DESIGN: A 62-item survey assessed depression, hassles, readiness to change, and demographics. METHODS: Participants (N = 81) were interviewed in an adult clinic waiting room. RESULTS: On average, participants smoked 13 cigarettes per day. Many reported attempts to reduce smoking-related health risks: 46% switched brands, 57% reduced their smoking, and 19% smoked only on some days. Fifty-nine percent indicated depressive symptoms. For women vs men, noteworthy differences were: reduction in number of cigarettes smoked (66.7% vs 40.0%; P = .023), switching brands (58.8% vs 23.3%; P = .003), number of attempts to quit in the past year (2.7 vs 1.2; P = .034), and high concern about weight gain (52.9% vs 26.7%; P = .047). Cigarettes smoked per day was negatively correlated with motivation to quit (P = .022). Variables positively correlated with motivation to quit included: harm reduction strategies (P = .002), intention to quit in 30 days (P<.0001), and intention to quit in 6 months (P<.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Women showed more potential indications of readiness to quit, including more attempts to quit, reductions in number of cigarette smoked, and brand switching. Knowledge of cessation barriers, gender differences, and correlates to motivation may prove useful for investigators conducting research in this population.

A case for addressing cigarette use in methadone and other opioid treatment programs.

Most persons attending drug treatment smoke cigarettes. They will eventually experience predictable, but devastatingly high, tobacco-related mortality. Recent studies indicate that many clients are ready to quit smoking and that quitting does not threaten progress made in treatment. Methadone and other opioid treatment providers are in an excellent position to address tobacco use among their clients. The present paper describes the prevalence of smoking among methadone clients, reviews promising interventions, and describes how programs can implement a systematic approach to smoking cessation that includes creating a cue system for identifying smokers, providing brief on-site intervention, and arranging follow-up or more intensive treatment.

Multiple benign strictures of the oesophagus in the paediatric age-group--modified technique of antegrade dilatation.

Accidental ingestion of strong acids and alkalines still remains the commonest cause of benign strictures of the oesophagus in our country, particularly in children from the poor socio-economic strata, who are left alone to fend for themselves. Once the stricture is well-formed, repeated antegrade dilatations are required in order to dilate the lumen gradually. The procedure is done with the utmost care and gentleness in order to avoid rupture of the cicatricial wall of the oesophagus. The present series consisting of 10 cases of multiple, benign, mostly permeable, strictures of the oesophagus were successfully managed with Jackson's antegrade dilatation technique. During one of the dilatation sessions we observed that instead of pushing the bougie gently, it seemed to be sucked down entirely on its own, a few millimeters at a time (described in case 3) and traversed the entire stricture. This procedure appears safer for the patient and has now become routine with us. There was no mortality in our series. In all, a total of 168 dilatations have been done. The average lumen achieved in all our cases was 6 mm (Jackson's bougie No. 18) which was well maintained in all our cases on a permanent basis.

A randomized trial to improve follow-up care in severe uncontrolled hypertensives at an inner-city walk-in clinic.

A single-blinded, randomized trial was conducted to determine whether a mailed postcard improved follow-up in uncontrolled hypertensives. One hundred and seven patients with a systolic blood pressure (BP) of 180 or more or a diastolic blood pressure of 110 or more at an inner-city, hospital-based walk-in clinic were enrolled; mean age was 56 years, 95 percent were African American, 73 percent were female, and mean BP was 193/106. Patients were required to be aware of their diagnosis and to have been informed of their need for medication at least a month before the trial. Of those who received postcard reminders, 45 percent followed up within 10 days, compared with 47 percent of controls (p = 0.93). At 30 days, 64 percent of the intervention group followed up, compared with 55 percent of controls (p = 0.36). In an adjusted logistic regression model, there was no difference in follow-up. Correlates of appointment noncompliance at one month included alcoholism and lack of insurance in an adjusted logistic regression model. Follow-up in severe hypertensives was poor, and a mailed postcard reminder had no effect in a walk-in setting.

Successful outcome of severe unilateral pulmonary interstitial emphysema after bi-lobectomy in a very low birthweight infant.

Extubation of ventilated infants with severe unilateral pulmonary interstitial emphysema is difficult because the function of normal lung tissue is impaired. Continued positive pressure ventilation worsens hyperinflation on the side with interstitial emphysema, leading to cardiorespiratory compromise. Resection of affected single lobes is well described, but there are no reported cases of multiple lobectomies in very low birthweight infants. We describe a case where resection of both right upper and middle lobes was successful, allowing extubation within a few days of surgery. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest was helpful in making the decision to treat this infant by surgery.

Direct observation of smoking cessation activities in primary care practice.

OBJECTIVE: Our goals were to determine how often family physicians incorporate smoking cessation efforts into routine office visits and to examine the effect of patient, physician, and office characteristics on the frequency of these efforts. STUDY DESIGN: Data was gathered using direct observation of physician-patient encounters, a survey of physicians, and an on-site examination of office systems for supporting smoking cessation. POPULATION: We included patients seen for routine office visits in 38 primary care physician practices. OUTCOMES MEASURED: The frequency of tobacco discussions among all patients, the extent of these discussions among smokers, and the presence of tobacco-related systems and policies in physicians' offices were measured. RESULTS: Tobacco was discussed during 633 of 2963 encounters (21%; range among practices = 0%-90%). Discussion of tobacco was more common in the 58% of practices that had standard forms for recording smoking status (26% vs 16%; P=.01). Tobacco discussions were more common during new patient visits but occurred less often with older patients and among physicians in practice more than 10 years. Of 244 smokers identified, physicians provided assistance with smoking cessation for 38% (range among practices = 0%-100%). Bupropion and nicotine-replacement therapy were discussed with smokers in 31% and 17% of encounters, respectively. Although 68% of offices had smoking cessation materials for patients, few recorded tobacco use in the "vital signs" section of the patient history or assigned smoking-related tasks to nonphysician personnel. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking cessation practices vary widely in primary care offices. Strategies are needed to assist physicians with incorporating systematic approaches to maximize smoking cessation rates.