HEALTH BELIEFS, ACCULTURATION AND TOBACCO USE AMONG ARAB-AMERICANS IN CALIFORNIA

Background: Tobacco use is prevalent in the Middle East, and relatively, high rates of smoking behaviors are reported in the immigrant populations from this region.

Purpose: the aims of this study was to examine the association between tobacco use and acculturation status among Arab-Americans living in Southern California

Research Questions:  this study is aiming to answer the following questions:

1.         What are the demographic characteristics of Arab-Americans who participated in the study?

2.         What is the tobacco use rate of Arab-Americans aged 18 years and older in California?

3.         What is the acculturation status of Arab-Americans aged 18 years and living in California according to Berry's model? 

4.         Is there an association between demographics (age, gender, years spent in the U.S., generation type, level of education, religion, marital status, and income); acculturation level, marginality (Anglo marginality, Arab marginality, and Arab-American marginality); and tobacco use (never, ever, current) of Arab-Americans aged 18 and older in California?

5.         Is there a difference in tobacco use rates between levels of acculturation of Arab-American aged 18 and older in California?

Methods:  this study examined tobacco use in association with health beliefs and acculturation status among a convenience sample (N=132) of Arab-Americans in California. A cross-sectional descriptive correlational design was employed guided by an integrative model of the Health Belief Model and Berry’s Acculturation Model. Participants completed set questionnaires assessing smoking status and acculturation levels based on Berry’s model of acculturation.

Findings: results showed that despite the increase in subjects’ general health concern, tobacco use was still high. Subjects reported that barriers surrounding tobacco cessation were greater than the benefits of quitting, and those with lower levels of acculturation had higher levels of tobacco use regardless of duration of residency. The data supported the hypothesis that culture plays an important role in smoking behavior and health motivation. Conclusion: The Arab culture emphasizes both fatalism and reliance on God’s will, but disease prevention programs in the US emphasize the individual’s role in health promotion. Thus, culturally-sensitive tobacco cessation programs should be tailored to meet the needs of this high risk population.

Implications: the results of this study is beneficial to public health nurses working with culturally diverse population, they therefore have the opportunity to provide culturally sensitive tobacco use prevention and effective cessation programs accordingly.