Cigarette Smoking and Sociodemographic, Military, and Health Characteristics of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom Veterans: 2009-2011 National Health Study for a New Generation of US Veterans

Overview

Journal Public Health Rep

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Public Health

Date 2017 Jan 27

PMID 28123213

Citations 11

Authors

Yasmin S Cypel

Kim Hamlett-Berry

Shannon K Barth

Dana E Christofferson

Victoria J Davey

Stephanie Eber

Aaron I Schneiderman

Robert M Bossarte

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: We examined the sociodemographic, military, and health characteristics of current cigarette smokers, former smokers, and nonsmokers among Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) / Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) veterans and estimated smoking prevalence to better understand cigarette use in this population.

Methods: We analyzed data from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 2009-2011 National Health Study for a New Generation of US Veterans. On the basis of a stratified random sample of 60 000 OEF/OIF veterans, we sought responses to a 72-item questionnaire via mail, telephone, or Internet. Cigarette smoking status was based on self-reported cigarette use in the past year. We used multinomial logistic regression to evaluate associations between smoking status and sociodemographic, military, and health characteristics.

Results: Among 19 911 veterans who provided information on cigarette smoking, 5581 were current smokers (weighted percentage: 32.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 31.7-33.2). Current smokers were more likely than nonsmokers or former smokers to be younger, to have less education or income, to be separated/divorced or never married/single, and to have served on active duty or in the army. Comparing current smokers and nonsmokers, some significant associations from adjusted analyses included the following: having a Mental Component Summary score (a measure of overall mental health) above the mean of the US population relative to below the mean (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.73-0.90); having physician-diagnosed depression (aOR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.33-1.74), respiratory conditions (aOR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.04-1.30), or repeated seizures/blackouts/convulsions (aOR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.22-2.67); heavy alcohol use vs never use (aOR = 5.49, 95% CI: 4.57-6.59); a poor vs excellent perception of overall health (aOR = 3.79, 95% CI: 2.60-5.52); and being deployed vs nondeployed (aOR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.78-0.96). Using health care services from the VA protected against current smoking.

Conclusion: Mental and physical health, substance use, and military service characteristics shape cigarette-smoking patterns in OEF/OIF veterans.

Citing Articles

Cigarette Smoking and Depression Among U.S. Veterans: Longitudinal Associations With Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

Tran D, Davis J, Tucker J, Bricker J, Lee D, Fitzke R Nicotine Tob Res. 2023; 25(8):1496-1504.

PMID: 37094359 PMC: 10347971. DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntad064.

Assessing Smoking Status and Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Machine Learning Approach among Veterans.

Djotsa A, Helmer D, Park C, Lynch K, Sharafkhaneh A, Naik A Healthcare (Basel). 2022; 10(7).

PMID: 35885771 PMC: 9319659. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10071244.

Gender Differences in Demographic and Health Characteristics of the Million Veteran Program Cohort.

Harrington K, Nguyen X, Song R, Hannagan K, Quaden R, Gagnon D Womens Health Issues. 2019; 29 Suppl 1:S56-S66.

PMID: 31253243 PMC: 7061933. DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2019.04.012.

Gender-based Differences among 1990-1991 Gulf War Era Veterans: Demographics, Lifestyle Behaviors, and Health Conditions.

Brown M, Sims K, Gifford E, Goldstein K, Johnson M, Williams C Womens Health Issues. 2019; 29 Suppl 1:S47-S55.

PMID: 31253242 PMC: 6668031. DOI: 10.1016/j.whi.2019.04.004.

Comparison of Cardiovascular Health Between US Army and Civilians.

Shrestha A, Ho T, Vie L, Labarthe D, Scheier L, Lester P J Am Heart Assoc. 2019; 8(12):e009056.

PMID: 31164033 PMC: 6645626. DOI: 10.1161/JAHA.118.009056.

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