21, p < .001). Table 1. Participant Characteristics As depicted in Table 2, smoking in the past three months was associated with lower education, greater alcohol use, and higher LGBIS scores. Among smokers, smoking ��10 selleck chemical Paclitaxel CPD versus light smoking was related to lower LGBIS scores and marginally related to older age and greater alcohol use. Table 2. Logistic Regression Model Predicting Past Three Month Smoking Among Chinese MSM and Smoking ��10 CPD Among Chinese MSM Smokers Discussion This study provides important findings, as little is known about smoking among sexual minorities outside of North America. Higher smoking prevalence was found among Chinese MSM (66%) versus MSM in North America (34%�C55%; Greenwood et al., 2005; Lampinen et al., 2006) and versus the general urban male population in China (56%; S.

Lee et al., 2009). The 10% higher rate among Chinese MSM versus non-MSM may reflect a ceiling effect since smoking rates among Chinese men are quite high. Thus, this study highlights a particularly high-risk underserved population that has received little attention. This research identified important factors associated with smoking among Chinese MSM. First, as previously documented, lower education was associated with smoking (Zhu, Giovino, Mowery, & Eriksen, 1996) and older age was associated with heavier smoking (CDC, 1997; Thompson et al., 2007). Second, drinking was related to smoking and heavier drinking was associated with heavier smoking. Our findings support prior research on concurrent alcohol use and smoking (Bachman, Wadsworth, O��Malley, Johnston, & Schulenberg, 1997) and high prevalence of smoking and alcohol use among MSM in China (Ruan et al.

, 2009). Interestingly, less comfort with one��s sexuality was more highly correlated with smoking than depressive symptoms or social support. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (Kelly, 1995) listed five empirically based substance abuse-specific risk factors for the LGBT population, particularly lack of sense of self-worth, connectedness to social support, alternative ways to view being different, role models, and opportunities to socialize with other gays/lesbians outside of bars. Some of these risk factors are reflected by LGBIS. Further examination should focus on how specific aspects of gay identity contribute to health-risk behavior.

The reasons for the connection between higher LGBIS scores and light smoking are unclear. Perhaps, there are different triggers for smoking among those who were more uncomfortable with Carfilzomib their sexual identity, such as being in uncomfortable social situations or coping with situational stressors, rather than being addicted. Further examination of this phenomenon is warranted. This research has implications for research and practice. Greater attention regarding health behaviors, particularly smoking, among MSM in developing countries is warranted.