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Introduction: Over 2.6 million Hispanic/Latino construction workers (CWs) live in the US; 91% of South Florida CWs are Hispanic/Latino. CWs have higher smoking and lower cessation rates than other workers. Limited access to cessation services, worksite turnover, and lack of interventions tailored to culture/occupation hinder cessation. Partnering with worksite food trucks to deliver unique cessation interventions may improve these efforts. Aims: To explore a novel cessation approach, assess worker/worksite acceptability, and seek input into intervention development. Methods: In 2016, we conducted five semi-structured focus groups with 37 smoking Hispanic/Latino CWs. Constant comparative analysis was used to examine a priori themes regarding smoking behaviours, cessation treatments, intervention delivery, cultural adaptation, and quit interest. Results: CWs reported tremendous job stress. Most smoking occurred during the workday and most CWs did not use nicotine replacement therapy with past quit attempts. Most CWs were open to a worksite face-to-face group cessation intervention before work (many underutilize breaks and feel pressure to keep working). CWs felt it unnecessary to tailor the intervention to Hispanics/Latinos indicating smokers are the same regardless of race/ethnicity. Conclusions: Findings demonstrate the need to consider work environments, job demands/stress, and worker preferences when developing accessible and acceptable cessation interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To explore the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and nicotine dependence in a representative sample of 3560 Florida smokers. Methods: Data from the 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System-Florida Tobacco Callback Survey were used. Logistic regression models were conducted to identify factors independently associated with HRQOL measures. Results: Greater nicotine dependence was associated with poor/fair self-rated health, 1-29 days of poor physical health, and poor mental health, and inactivity in the past 30 days. Conclusions: The consequences of longterm smoking, and thus nicotine dependence, may not be confined to traditional morbidity measures but may include poor perceived health and overall well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine indicators of health care access and utilization among children of working and nonworking single mothers in the United States, the authors used data on unmarried women participating in the 1997-2008 National Health Interview Survey who financially supported children under 18 years of age (n = 21,842). Stratified by maternal employment, the analyses assessed health care access and utilization for all children. Outcome variables included delayed care, unmet care, lack of prescription medication, no usual place of care, no well-child visit, and no doctor's visit. The analyses reveal that maternal employment status was not associated with health care access and utilization. The strongest predictors of low access/utilization included no health insurance and intermittent health insurance in the previous 12 months, relative to those with continuous private health insurance coverage (odds ratio ranges 3.2-13.5 and 1.3-10.3, respectively). Children with continuous public health insurance compared favorably with those having continuous private health insurance on three of six access/utilization indicators (odds ratio range 0.63-0.85). As these results show, health care access and utilization for the children of single mothers are not optimal. Passage of the U.S. Healthcare Reform Bill (HR 3590) will probably increase the number of children with health insurance and improve these indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine associations between menthol cigarette smoking and nicotine dependence, quit attempts, and physical and mental health. Methods: Data were drawn from the 2007 Florida Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) and a follow-up survey among current smokers (N = 3396). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: In multivariate analyses, menthol cigarette smoking was associated with women, African American and Hispanic race/ethnicity, and greater mental distress. Conclusions: Women, racial/ethnic minorities, and individuals reporting a greater frequency of mental distress are more likely to smoke menthol versus nonmenthol cigarettes. Implications for public health policy and cessation interventions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hearing loss has been associated with tobacco smoking, but its relationship with secondhand smoke is not known. We sought to investigate the association between secondhand smoke exposure and hearing loss in a nationally representative sample of adults. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a nationally representative cross-sectional dataset, was utilised to investigate the association between secondhand smoke exposure and hearing loss. Data collected from non-smoking participants aged 20-69 years were included in the analysis if they had completed audiometric testing, had a valid serum continue value, and provided complete smoking, medical co-morbidity and noise exposure histories (N=3307). Hearing loss was assessed from averaged pure-tone thresholds over low- or mid-frequencies (500, 1000 and 2000 Hz) and high-frequencies (3000, 4000, 6000 and 8000 Hz), and was defined as mild or greater severity (pure-tone average in excess of 25 dB HL). Second-Hand Smoke (SHS) exposure was significantly associated with increased risk of hearing loss for low-/mid-frequencies (adjusted OR-1.14; 95% CI 1.02-1.28 for never smokers and 1.30; 1.10-1.54 for former smokers) and high-frequencies (1.40; 1.22-1.81 for former smokers), after controlling for potential confounders. Findings from the present analysis indicate that SHS exposure is associated with hearing loss in non-smoking adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose/Objectives: To examine challenges faced by Haitian immigrant women managing a breast cancer diagnosis.Research Approach: Trained community health workers conducted focus groups with Haitian women who were breast cancer survivors. A grounded theory approach guided analysis of transcripts.Setting: A large community-based organization in Miami, FL.Participants: 18 women took part in three focus groups. Participants were 40 years or older, were ethnically Haitian, and had been diagnosed with breast cancer 6-12 months prior to the study.Methodologic Approach: Data were collected as part of an ongoing community-based participatory research initiative in Little Haiti, the largest enclave of Haitian settlement in Miami, FL. Community health workers, integral to the initiative, recruited participants through their extensive social networks and community contacts.Main Research Variables: Screening knowledge, illness beliefs, social and economic consequences of a breast cancer diagnosis, and advice for breast health education.Findings: Emergent themes suggest that Haitian breast cancer survivors face multiple challenges, including misperceptions about screening guidelines, disease etiology, and risk; a reduced capacity to earn a living because of physical debility; and diminished social support.Conclusions: Future research must continue to examine the impact of breast cancer on Haitian immigrant women and identify key strategies, such as community outreach and support programs, to improve their quality of life.Interpretation: Nurses can play an essential role in such strategies by providing culturally relevant clinical care and partnering with community stakeholders to define the scope and focus of public health intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]