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Evidence from in vitro and animal models has identified the pulmonary toxicity of flavors in electronic cigarettes (ECIGs); however, less is known from epidemiological studies about the effects of flavors in the respiratory health. This study examined the longitudinal association between exposure to ECIGs flavors and nocturnal dry cough among ECIGs users. A secondary analysis of data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study (2014–2019) was conducted. The study population included adults who provided information (n = 18,925) for a total of 38,638 observations. Weighted-incidence estimates and weighted- generalized estimating equation models were performed to assess unadjusted and adjusted associations. The weighted incidence proportion (WIP) of nocturnal dry cough was significantly higher among current (WIP:16.6%; 95%CI 10.5, 21.2) and former fruit flavored ECIGs users (WIP:16.6%; 95%CI 11.3, 21.9) as compared to non-ECIGs users (WIP:11.1%; 95%CI 10.6, 11.6). Current ECIGs users of fruit flavors showed 40% higher risk of reporting cough than non-ECIGs users (aRR:1.40, 95%CI 1.01, 1.94). Former ECIGs users of multiple flavors and other flavors had 300% and 66% higher risk to develop cough, respectively (aRR:3.33, 95%CI 1.51, 7.34 and aRR:1.66, 95%CI 1.0.9, 2.51), relative to non-ECIGs users. We observed a significantly higher risk of developing nocturnal dry cough in the past 12 months in current and former ECIGs users of fruit flavors and in former ECIGs users of multiple flavors. To the extent that cough may serve as an early indicator of respiratory inflammation and potential disease risk, the association between ECIGs use and cough raises potential concerns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Acculturation stress can negatively impact Latinos immigrant mental and physical health related behaviors such as smoking. It is essential to have validated and updated instruments that allow the evaluation of acculturation stress on this population. This study aims to evaluate the psychometric properties of an abbreviated version of the Hispanic Stress Inventory Version 2 (HSI2) immigration scale among Latinos who smoke. Methods: The study consisted of a secondary data analysis from a baseline assessment of Decídetexto, a mobile health (mHealth) smoking cessation randomized clinical trial. Of 457 Latinos included in the parent study, 352 immigrants who smoke were included. Construct validity was analyzed by completing a Pearson correlation coefficient matrix. Structural validity was analyzed using an Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Cronbach alpha analysis was used to estimate the internal consistency of the items constituting a factor. Results: The results included an abbreviated version of the HSI2 including 52 items. From the Pearson correlation coefficient matrix with a cutoff point of 0.4, 22 of the 52 items were excluded. From the Pearson correlation coefficient matrix with a cutoff point of 0.4, 22 items were excluded. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) results in six factors extracted, explaining 69.1% of the variance. According to the EFA, two items were relocated in different factors from the original scale. The HSI2 30 items scale reflected excellent reliability with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.93. The six factors reflect acceptable to excellent reliability, ranging from 0.77–0.93 across factors. The median for the HSI2 total score was 34.00 (25–45) out of a possible total score of 150. Conclusion: Results confirmed acceptable psychometric properties of the HSI2 simplified 30-item version and provided a reliable and shorter measure of acculturation stress for Latinos groups. Having a valid and reduced measure of acculturation stress is the first step in understanding diverse ethnic groups of Latinos that are at higher risk of presenting health risk behaviors such as smoking. The present results provided the possibility of assessing the impact of acculturation stress among adults who smoke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractObjectiveMethodsResultsConclusionTo assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of Kick Vaping among Latino young adults.Forty Latino young adults (ages 18 to 25) who were currently vaping received Kick Vaping, a vaping cessation text messaging intervention available in English and Spanish. Feasibility was measured by the eligibility, enrollment, and follow-up rates. Acceptability was measured by overall satisfaction with the intervention. Preliminary impact was measured by self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence and changes in self-efficacy.Two hundred three individuals were identified, 61 were assessed for eligibility, and 55 were eligible. Forty individuals consented to participate and were enrolled in Kick Vaping. At baseline, most participants used disposable devices (70%), vaped daily (97.5%), had low (37.5%) or medium (35.0%) e-cigarette dependence, and had attempted to quit in the past year (72.5%). At Month 3, the follow-up rate was 90% (36/40). Treating those lost to follow-up as participants who continued vaping, 75% (30/40) of participants self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence. Self-efficacy mean scores significantly increased from 30.65 (SD 8.07) at baseline to 50.11 (SD 10.57) at follow-up (p < 0.01). Most participants (88.9%, 32/36) reported being satisfied/extremely satisfied with Kick Vaping.It is feasible to recruit and retain Latino young adults in a vaping cessation text messaging intervention. Kick Vaping generated high satisfaction among Latino young adults, significantly increased self-efficacy, and resulted in a notable vaping cessation rate at Month 3. Additional testing in a randomized controlled trial is warranted to assess the efficacy of the intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Scanning with low-dose computed tomography reduces lung cancer mortality by 20% among high-risk individuals. Despite its efficacy, the uptake of lung cancer screening (LCS) remains low. Our study aimed to estimate state-level and nationwide LCS rates among eligible individuals and to assess disparities in LCS uptake., Methods: Data for this study were obtained from the 2022 BRFSS. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to model the associations between predictors and outcome variables and to examine LCS variability across states., Results: Of the 28,071 participants eligible for LCS, 17.24% underwent LCS. Participants aged 65 -79 years were (OR: 1.75, 95%CI: 1.54 -1.99) more likely to undergo LCS than their younger counterparts. Those who were female (OR: 0.83, 95%CI: 0.73 - 0.94), divorced, separated, or widowed (OR: 0.85, 95%CI: 0.74-0.98), without health insurance (OR: 0.34, 95%CI: 0.22-0.53), without a primary care provider (OR: 0.29, 95%CI: 0.19-0.44), without COPD or those who did not disclose their COPD status ((OR: 0.35, 95%CI: 0.31-0.40) and (OR: 0.37, 95%CI: 0.19-0.73) respectively)) were less likely to undergo LCS than their respective counterparts. LCS uptake also varied significantly across U.S. states., Conclusions: We observed low uptake of LCS overall, and significant variability in LCS uptake by sociodemographic and health-related factors as well as by state of residence., Impact: The findings from this study have important implications for community health workers and healthcare clinicians and indicate the need to design effective interventions to increase LCS uptake targeting specific subgroups of populations and particular U.S. states.

Objective: To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary impact of Kick Vaping among Latino young adults., Methods: Forty Latino young adults (ages 18 to 25) who were currently vaping received Kick Vaping , a vaping cessation text messaging intervention available in English and Spanish. Feasibility was measured by the eligibility, enrollment, and follow-up rates. Acceptability was measured by overall satisfaction with the intervention. Preliminary impact was measured by self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence and changes in self-efficacy., Results: Two hundred three individuals were identified, 61 were assessed for eligibility, and 55 were eligible. Forty individuals consented to participate and were enrolled in Kick Vaping . At baseline, most participants used disposable devices (70%), vaped daily (97.5%), had low (37.5%) or medium (35.0%) e-cigarette dependence, and had attempted to quit in the past year (72.5%). At Month 3, the follow-up rate was 90% (36/40). Treating those lost to follow-up as participants who continued vaping, 75% (30/40) of participants self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence. Self-efficacy mean scores significantly increased from 30.65 (SD 8.07) at baseline to 50.11 (SD 10.57) at follow-up ( p  < 0.01). Most participants (88.9%, 32/36) reported being satisfied/extremely satisfied with Kick Vaping ., Conclusion: It is feasible to recruit and retain Latino young adults in a vaping cessation text messaging intervention. Kick Vaping generated high satisfaction among Latino young adults, significantly increased self-efficacy, and resulted in a notable vaping cessation rate at Month 3. Additional testing in a randomized controlled trial is warranted to assess the efficacy of the intervention.

The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a mobile intervention that promotes smoking cessation and physical activity among Latinos living in the United States. Twenty Latino adults who smoked and did not meet recommended levels of physical activity were recruited using community-based recruitment strategies. Participants received Actívatexto, a theory-based, culturally accommodated, 12-week text messaging intervention (available in English and Spanish) that promotes smoking cessation and physical activity. Actívatexto integrates four components: (i) a text messaging program, (ii) a wearable device, (iii) an online dashboard where the research team manages participants' incoming and outgoing data from both the text messaging program and wearable device, and (iv) nicotine replacement therapies (NRT). We assessed self-reported 7-day point prevalence smoking abstinence at month 3, weekly minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), pharmacotherapy adherence, and satisfaction. At baseline, participants' mean age was 47.3 years old (SD 16.0), 55% of participants were female, and 60% indicated that Spanish was their language of preference. Seventy-five percent of participants smoked 1-10 cigarettes daily and 35% smoked their first cigarette within 5 minutes after waking up. At month 3, 14 participants (70%) self-reported 7-day point prevalence smoking abstinence (90% follow-up rate). Fitbit-assessed mean minutes of MVPA per week increased from 113 (SD 127; range: 0-399) at week 1 to 177 (SD 163; range: 0-513) at month 3 (P = 0.15). Sixteen participants (88.9%, 16/18) reported NRT use in the past 90 days. Most participants reported being extremely satisfied or satisfied with the intervention (88.9%, 16/18)., Significance: Actívatexto resulted in a noteworthy cessation rate at month 3 (70%), increased mean weekly minutes of MVPA, produced high use of NRT, and was well received by participants. Additional testing in a randomized clinical trial is warranted to assess the efficacy of the intervention., (© 2024 The Authors; Published by the American Association for Cancer Research.)

Objective: Describe the participatory research procedures of developing Kick Vaping , a vaping cessation text messaging intervention for Latino young adults, available in English and Spanish., Methods: Using community-based recruitment strategies, we convened a Community Advisory Board (CAB) of eight Latino young adults (ages 18-25) with different vaping experiences (never users, ex-users, and current users of e-cigarettes). Members held a series of working meetings to adapt Decídetexto , a smoking cessation text messaging intervention, for vaping cessation. Members provided iterative feedback on the text messages until reaching a consensus on content. Messages were translated from English to Spanish following a committee approach. Readability assessments were used to evaluate the legibility of the text messages., Results: At baseline, members' mean age was 22.6 years old (SD 3.1), 75% were female, and 50% used both English and Spanish equally. Three members (37.5%) were ex-users and one member (12.5%) was a current user of e-cigarettes. 18 meetings provided sufficient opportunities for iterative feedback on the text messages for developing the intervention. The Kick Vaping intervention consists of 208 text messages. Readability scores of the text messages in English were equivalent to fourth and fifth grade, and in Spanish were equivalent to easy and somewhat easy., Conclusion: It is feasible and practical to build participatory research among Latino young adults focused on vaping cessation. Members of the CAB added innovation and creativity to the development of the vaping cessation text messaging intervention. Future research is needed to evaluate the impact of the intervention on vaping cessation., Competing Interests: Declaration of Conflicting InterestsThe author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.