OBJECTIVE: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience adverse health outcomes and have high rates of smoking and related illnesses. This brief report describes stress as a barrier to quitting smoking derived from reflections within an Aboriginal Medical Service and makes recommendations for intervention development. METHODS: A high-intensity smoking cessation program was conducted within a suburban Aboriginal Medical Service in Western Sydney, Australia, over a 10-month period. The intervention included weekly cessation counselling sessions and dispensation of free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). RESULTS: During the observation period, 32 clients made quit attempts. To date, three clients (9%) have quit smoking. Chronic and intercurrent life stressors were noted to be the main barriers to smoking cessation described by participants. CONCLUSIONS: Achieving smoking cessation among Indigenous people is made significantly more complex because of multiple life stressors experienced. IMPLICATIONS: Future interventions targeting Indigenous Australians should take greater account of stressful life events and their impact on quitting smoking.
OBJECTIVE: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience adverse health outcomes and have high rates of smoking and related illnesses. This brief report describes stress as a barrier to quitting smoking derived from reflections within an Aboriginal Medical Service and makes recommendations for intervention development. METHODS: A high-intensity smoking cessation program was conducted within a suburban Aboriginal Medical Service in Western Sydney, Australia, over a 10-month period. The intervention included weekly cessation counselling sessions and dispensation of free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). RESULTS: During the observation period, 32 clients made quit attempts. To date, three clients (9%) have quit smoking. Chronic and intercurrent life stressors were noted to be the main barriers to smoking cessation described by participants. CONCLUSIONS: Achieving smoking cessation among Indigenous people is made significantly more complex because of multiple life stressors experienced. IMPLICATIONS: Future interventions targeting Indigenous Australians should take greater account of stressful life events and their impact on quitting smoking.
Authors: Michelle DiGiacomo; Patricia M Davidson; Penelope A Abbott; Joyce Davison; Louise Moore; Sandra C Thompson Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2011-01-31 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Julia V Marley; David Atkinson; Carmel Nelson; Tracey Kitaura; Dennis Gray; Sue Metcalf; Richard Murray; Graeme P Maguire Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2012-03-23 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: Lauren Maksimovic; Catherine Paquet; Mark Daniel; Harold Stewart; Alwin Chong; Peter Lekkas; Margaret Cargo Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2013-12-13 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Sandra C Thompson; Michelle L Digiacomo; Julie S Smith; Kate P Taylor; Lyn Dimer; Mohammed Ali; Marianne M Wood; Timothy G Leahy; Patricia M Davidson Journal: Aust New Zealand Health Policy Date: 2009-12-30