Smoking patterns among Chinese rural-urban migrant workers

Public Health. 2009 Nov;123(11):743-9. doi: 10.1016/j.puhe.2009.09.021. Epub 2009 Nov 7.

Abstract

Objectives: To estimate smoking prevalence and identify correlates of smoking initiation among rural-urban migrant workers.

Study design: Subjects were 4198 rural-urban migrant workers, aged 18 years and older, residing in three Chinese cities.

Methods: Participants were identified through multistage quota sampling. They were asked about their migration history, pre-migration and post-migration smoking status, employment and home life. Analyses were conducted using Chi-squared test and multiple logistic regression.

Results: Overall, smoking prevalence was higher subsequent to migration (28.4%) compared with before migration (20.8%) (P<0.01). Initiation of daily smoking was associated with gender [odds ratio (OR) 0.02]; high school or greater education (OR 0.48; vs elementary school or lower); having a monthly personal income of 1000-1999 Yuan (OR 2.60), 2000-2999 Yuan (OR 3.08) or > or =3000 Yuan (OR 4.04) (vs <500 Yuan US$ 1=7.5 Yuan); and history of migration to three cities (OR:1.65) or four or more cities (OR 2.80) (vs one city). Initiation of occasional smoking was only associated with gender (OR 0.11). Solitude was the primary situational trigger for smoking initiation.

Conclusions: A migratory lifestyle is associated with smoking initiation. Findings could inform the design of tobacco control programmes that would target Chinese rural-urban migrant workers as a special population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • China / epidemiology
  • Emigration and Immigration / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data
  • Sampling Studies
  • Sex Factors
  • Smoking / epidemiology*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Transients and Migrants / psychology
  • Transients and Migrants / statistics & numerical data*
  • Urban Population / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult