Characteristics of Six-Month Tobacco Use Outcomes of Black Patients Seeking Smoking Cessation Intervention

Although Blacks experience disproportionately greater morbidity and mortality attributable to smoking than other racially-classified social groups, few studies have examined the impact of clinical interventions for nicotine dependence within this population. The main objective of this study was to examine 6-month outcomes among 146 self-identified adult Black patients who received an individually-tailored nicotine dependence intervention in an academic medical setting. Measures included a baseline demographic questionnaire and telephone follow-up to obtain self-reported 6-month tobacco use status. Univariate analysis was performed to assess the association of baseline patient characteristics with tobacco abstinence at 6 months following the clinic intervention. Of the 146 patients, 83% were seen in an outpatient clinic setting, while 17% were seen as inpatients in the hospital. At baseline, 53% reported smoking an average of 20 or more cigarettes per day, 32% were highly nicotine dependent, and 53% were in the preparation or action stage of change. Six months following the intervention, the 7-day point-prevalence tobacco abstinence rate was 43/146 (29%; 95% C.I. 22% to 37%). An individualized nicotine dependence intervention conducted in an academic medical setting yielded encouraging abstinence rates for Black smokers.