Background: Smoking prevalence in Indigenous Australians is staring to decline, but not for some subgroups of reproductive age.1 This is the first study to use the validated Risk Behaviour Diagnosis (RBD) scale in Indigenous smokers globally, as far as authors are aware.
Aim: To assess associations between intentions to quit smoking and perceived efficacy for quitting and perceived threat from smoking in Aboriginal smokers of reproductive age.
Methods: A cross-sectional community based survey was conducted with 121 Aboriginal smokers aged 18-45 years old from January-May 2014. Participants were recruited at community events on the Mid North Coast of NSW. The response rate was 89%. Data were collected on smoking and quitting attitudes and behaviours, home smoking rules and professional support. Perceived efficacy for quitting, and perceived threat from smoking, were assessed with a validated RBD Scale.2 A logistic regression explored the impact of perceived efficacy, perceived threat and consulting history, on self-reported intentions to quit smoking, after controlling for potential confounders.
Results: Perceived efficacy for quitting OR 4.8 (95%CI=1.78-12.93), and consulting previously with a doctor OR 3.82 (95%CI=1.43-10.2) were significant predictors of intentions to quit smoking, in the adjusted model. The attitude that ‘smoking is not doing harm right now’ was also a negative predictor of intention to quit OR 0.25 (95%CI=0.08-0.8). Perceived threat was one of several confounders.
Conclusions: Perceived efficacy and previously consulting with a doctor may be important predictors of intentions to quit smoking in Aboriginal smokers of reproductive age in NSW, thus could help identify which Aboriginal people are likely to make a quit attempt. Messages could be directed towards boosting perceived efficacy and encouraging cessation support from a health professional.