Prevalence and correlates of current smoking among deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing individuals.

Abstract

This study assessed the prevalence and correlates of current smoking among deaf, deafblind, and hard of hearing (DDBHH) individuals. In 2023, DDBHH individuals were recruited from the Wilmot catchment area, located in Western and Central New York State. Participants completed a survey available in English and American Sign Language (ASL). The survey collected sociodemographic, health, and smoking-related information. Differences between participants who smoked and those who did not smoke were assessed using chi-square and Fisher's exact test for categorical variables, and Mann-Whitney U-test for continuous variables. Significant associations with current cigarette smoking (p<0.05) were tested in an unadjusted logistic regression model, followed by a logistic regression model adjusted for all significant associations. The prevalence of current smoking was 26.3% (80/304). In an unadjusted logistic regression model, current smoking was associated with younger age, Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, use of ASL, and use of ProTactile ASL (all p's < 0.05). After controlling for all significant covariates, younger age (AOR=0.97, 95% CI 0.94-0.99), self-identifying as non-Hispanic/non-Latino (AOR=0.43, 95% CI 0.23-0.80), and use of ASL (AOR=2.19, 1.19-4.01) were significantly and independently associated with current smoking. Among DDBHH individuals, current smoking was more than double the rate observed in the general population. Current smoking was associated with younger age, Hispanic/Latino ethnicity, and use of ASL. These findings underscore the urgent need for tailored smoking prevention and cessation interventions among DDBHH individuals.