Tobacco Use and Associated Health Conditions and Risk Factors in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Transsexual Populations of Puerto Rico, 2013–2015

Abstract

Objective: The objectives of this research were to develop an epidemiological profile of tobacco use in the Puerto Rico lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and transsexual (LGBTT) populations and identify whether there are any statistically significant differences (in terms of health conditions and risk factors) between LGBTT smokers (LGBTT-S), LGBTT non-smokers (LGBTT-NS), general-populationnon-smokers (GP-NS), and general-population smokers (GP-S). Methods: Using the Puerto Rico Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System database (2013–2015), we conducted a univariate analysis to obtain an epidemiological profile, and a bivariate analysis was performed to compare LGBTT-S, LGBTT-NS, GP-NS, and GP-S. Finally, to determine the odds ratios (ORs), an age-adjusted logistic regression model with a 95% level of reliability was used. Results: During the period of 2013 through 2015, the Puerto Rico LGBTT population was reported to have a higher tobacco use prevalence than the general population had (21.6% vs. 10.8%). The LGBTT-S were more likely to have depression (OR: 2.63, p = 0.030) than the LGBTT-NS were. Likewise, LGBTT-S were more likely to suffer from COPD (OR: 4.81, p = 0.014), depression (OR: 3.27, p = 0.002), and heart attack (OR: 0.12, p = 0.038) than were GP-NS. Finally, LGBTT-S were more likely to suffer from COPD (OR: 5.07, p = 0.013) and heart attack (OR: 0.13, p = 0.046) than GP-S were. Conclusion: The results of this research demonstrate that tobacco use is one of the most critical public health issues affecting the LGBTT populations in Puerto Rico. For that reason, specific interventions and treatments directed to LGBTT populations are needed to help to reduce the impact of this addiction on the health of their members.