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Poster presentation:
Tobacco use amongst the Somali population: researching and understanding prevalence and attitudes
Lianne Straus
Abstract
This presentation aims to give an overview of recent research conducted by UCL on behalf of Islington PCT regarding the prevalence of, and attitudes towards, health behaviours amongst the Somali population. This research was carried out in collaboration with several Somali community organisations in Islington, using focus groups and a questionnaire survey. The research findings, especially in regard to smoking, provide valuable information that can be applied to the development of service delivery for the Somali population (and minority ethnic groups more widely).
Findings revealed that smoking rates amongst the Somali population were higher than the UK population generally, and that smoking is more common amongst older men. Smoking rates were more prevalent amongst qat users. Levels of dependence appear to be higher than the UK general population. Furthermore, recorded quit attempts were lower than national rates, although the desire to stop was strong. Motivations for quit attempts also differed to the UK general population. There was little understanding of NRT or the stop smoking services and some cultural beliefs (such as cessation success due solely to personal strength of will power, plus opposition to individual counseling) may undermine conventional methods of service delivery employed by stop smoking services.
The effective dissemination of information regarding smoking cessation (and other preventative health behaviours) and other health topics is required. However, this needs to be in a culturally appropriate way that takes into account the low literacy of many of the Somali population, the influence of an 'oral culture' and the political structure of the Somali population in the UK.
Author 1: Lianne Straus
Researcher
Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Unit, UCL
2-16 Torrington Place
London
WC1E 6BT
Author 2: Andy McEwen
Author 3: Helen Croker
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