Gathering LGBT Data Using Palm Pilot and Focus Group Methodologies

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Gathering LGBT Data Using Palm Pilotand Focus
Group Methodologies

• James Padilla, M.S.
• TUPAC Program Epidemiologist
• April 4, 2007
• New Mexico Public Health Association

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LGBT People in New Mexico

• 2-3 of New Mexico adults identify as lesbian,
  gay, or bisexual (LGB)an estimated 38,000 New
  Mexicans.
• 2000 Census identified over 4,500 same-sex
  couples in NM.
• NM ranks 10th in proportion of same-sex couples
  in the total population and ranks 4th for female
  same-sex couples.
• Counties with the greatest proportion of same-sex
  couples are Santa Fe, Bernalillo, and Taos.
• Little is known about how the number of LGB youth
  or the number of transgender people in the state.

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LGBT Data Background

• Very limited national or state dataespecially
  for transgender
• Largely convenience samples few population-based
  samples
• Respondents may not disclose sexual orientation
• Lack of a standard definition of sexual
  orientation (identity, attraction, behavior)

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LGBT Data in New Mexico

• 2003
• NM Adult Tobacco Survey (NMATS) first sexual
  orientation question in a population-based health
  survey.
• 2005
• Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
  (BRFSS) included a sexual orientation demographic
  question.
• TUPAC Program funded Lesbian and Gay focus groups
• TUPAC added a sexual orientation to intake of the
  toll-free cessation helpline (1-800-QUIT NOW).
• 2006
• Sexual orientation question included in NMATS and
  BRFSS
• TUPAC Program conducted LGBT Tobacco Palm Pilot
  Survey at three Pride events

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LGBT Health Issues

• LGBT people may be at increased
• risk regarding
• Mental Health (depression/anxiety/suicide)
• Substance Use (illicit drugs, alcohol, tobacco)
• Intimate Partner and Domestic Violence and Safety
• Access to Health Care
• Obesity, Eating Disorders, Body Image
• Sexual Health (e.g., HIV, AIDS)

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LGB Tobacco Data in New Mexico

• In 2003, LGB adults in NM were twice as likely to
  smoke as their heterosexual counterparts (37
  vs. 19).
• LGB people were significantly more likely than
  heterosexuals to report exposure to secondhand
  smoke in the past week (35 vs. 16).
• LGB New Mexicans were significantly less likely
  to have a no-smoking rule at home, compared to
  heterosexuals (61 vs. 78).

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NM Focus Group 1 Lesbian Women

• Top Health Concerns (in order of importance)
• Depression
• Smoking
• Access to Health Care
• Breast Cancer
• Alcoholism
• STDs
• Relationships and Mental Health
• Transgender/Sexual Issues in Receiving Health
  Care
• Regular Check-Ups
• Honesty with Medical Providers

One thing that bothers me is the health forms
that you have to fill out that dont ask anything
about your particular sexual orientation. Its
married, single, divorced, widowed. And theres
always the assumption that if you are sexually
active its with someone of the opposite sex, in
our case men..
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NM Focus Group 2 Gay Men
Top Health Concerns (in order of importance) 1
HIV/AIDS 3 Mental Illness 3 Self-Esteem 4
Combination of Drugs Addiction, including
Tobacco 5 Hepatitis C 9 Obesity 9 Suicide 9
Hate Crimes 9 Hypertension
Tie
Tie
Response to a question about tobacco companies
sponsorship of Pride Pride was one of the first
times my partner actually got to see people in
the daylight and he was thrilled to actually be
out in public and be able hold my hand with all
kinds of people around and he really liked that.
It really boosted his confidence, so I really
appreciate any money that people will give to
that kind of thing.
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LGBT Palm Pilot Survey

• 15-question survey on tobacco use, cessation,
  secondhand smoke, and demographics
• 15 trained interviewers used palm pilots (PDAs)
  to survey participants
• Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Santa Fe Pride events
• 471 Pride participants surveyed 88 were LGBT
  12 straight
• Results represent behaviors, attitudes, and
  beliefs of survey participants

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Benefits of a Palm Pilot Survey

• Simple training of survey interviewers
• Data collection (surveying) and data entry are
  combined into a single step
• Quick uploading of data into statistical or
  spreadsheet programs and quicker turn around time
  for analysis and reporting
• Innovative methodology is appealing to people
  being interviewed
• PDAs can be used in venues targeting specific
  populations that are difficult to reach through
  traditional telephone-based random surveying

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Respondent Demographics
Age
Sexual Orientation
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Respondent Demographics
Gender

• 50.4 Female
• 47.4 Male
• 2.2 Other

Transgender/Transsexual

• 5.4 of survey respondents identified as
  transgender or transsexual

Residence

• 89.2 Urban (ABQ, Santa Fe, Las Cruces)
• 10.8 Rural

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LGBT Smokers and Quitting
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LGBT Smokers and Quitting Methods

• Anecdotally, we heard from many smokers that they
  had tried NRT in the past but were unable to quit.

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ABQ Pride Parade, Banner Booth
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Exposure to Secondhand Smoke
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Widespread support for smoke-free INDOOR WORK
AREAS
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Widespread support for smoke-free PUBLIC BUILDINGS
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Awareness of LGBT Smoking Disparity
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Conclusions and Recommendations

• LGBT participants appear to be at an increased
  risk for tobacco use and exposure to secondhand
  smoke
• Factors may include internal and external
  societal stresses related to sexual orientation
  and gender identity, depression, access to health
  care, and targeted advertising
• Need for more educational efforts and ensuring
  availability of LGBT-specific interventions
  (e.g., cessation, quitline)

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Full report available at TUPAC Home
Page http//hsc.unm.edu/programs/tupac/
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Contact Information

• James Padilla, M.S.
• TUPAC Program Epidemiologist
• 505.841.5839
• james.padilla_at_state.nm.us
• www.health.state.nm.us/tobacco.html