Utilizing Reach Ratios to Assess Menthol Cigarette Smoker Enrollment in Quitline Services.
Monday, March 22, 2021
Posted by: Natalia Gromov
D'Silva J, Lien RK, Lachter
R, Keller PA.
Utilizing Reach Ratios to
Assess Menthol Cigarette Smoker Enrollment in Quitline Services.
Am J Prev Med. 2021 Mar;60(3 Suppl 2):S123-S127. doi:
10.1016/j.amepre.2019.12.027. PMID: 33663699.
Introduction.
Increasing the reach of evidence-based cessation services is a longstanding
public health priority, especially for subgroups who may be most at risk.
Little research has examined whether quitlines are reaching menthol cigarette
smokers who may have increased difficulty quitting compared with nonmenthol
cigarette smokers. This study aims to understand whether quitline services are
reaching menthol cigarette smokers.
Methods.
The study sample included adult smokers enrolled in Minnesota's quitline
program, QUITPLAN Services, between May 2017 and April 2018 (N=10,999).
Cigarette smokers were asked about the usual cigarette type (menthol versus
nonmenthol). Reach ratios were calculated by dividing the percentage of program
enrollees who are menthol smokers by the percentage of Minnesota smokers who
are menthol smokers. Differences in demographic, tobacco use, and utilization
characteristics between menthol and nonmenthol smokers were assessed using
chi-square and t-tests. Analyses were conducted in March 2019.
Results.
Among QUITPLAN Services enrollees, 30.7% of smokers reported using menthol
cigarettes. The reach ratio was 1.12 (95% CI=0.99, 1.25). Menthol smokers were
more likely to be younger, be female, be Black/African American, be Hispanic,
and live in an urban area than nonmenthol smokers. Although menthol smokers
were more likely than nonmenthol smokers to enroll in text messaging, no other
significant differences in service utilization were found.
Conclusions.
The findings suggest that menthol smokers are proportionately represented among
quitline enrollees. State quitlines should assess menthol smoking status at
intake and allocate resources to reach and better serve menthol smokers.
|
|
Email to a Friend