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Poor sleep quality is associated with numerous physical and mental health problems. The purpose of this study is to analyze the occupational and demographic factors associated with sleep problems among a sample of urban transit operators. The sample consists of 676 workers (44% female, 67% African American) at a Northern California public transit agency who participated in a cross-sectional worksite tobacco survey. Approximately 27% of the sample reported that they often had trouble going to sleep or staying asleep in the past 12 months. Results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that frequency of job stressors (e.g., equipment problems, road or traffic problems, poor access to bathrooms) and amount of time needed to unwind and relax after work were significantly associated with often experiencing insomnia symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 1.76 and 2.44, respectively). Younger workers, females, and nicotine-dependent smokers were more likely to report often experiencing sleep problems than older workers, males, and nonsmokers. Employment length and work shift were not associated with the outcome. The findings indicate that transit operators experience elevated prevalence of past-year sleep problems, and occupational factors play a role in their occurrence. Future research should explore if policies that help reduce frequency of job stressors can mitigate poor sleep quality among this occupational group.

Introduction: Transit workers are a blue-collar occupational group with elevated rates of smoking despite access to free or low-cost cessation services available through their health insurance as a union-negotiated employee benefit. Little is known about the influences on cessation participation in this workforce. Aims: The purpose of this study is to analyse the factors associated with past-year cessation activities amongst a multiethnic sample of transit workers. Methods: Cross-sectional tobacco surveys were completed by 935 workers at an Oakland, California, USA-based public transit agency. Data from 190 current smokers (68% African American; 46% female) were analysed. Adjusted odds ratios were calculated to identify factors associated with past-year cessation activity. Results: Approximately 55% of smokers stopped smoking for one day or longer during the past year in order to quit. Nearly half reported that the most common barrier to quitting was, 'Not mentally ready to quit because I like smoking'. Workers in the contemplation/precontemplation stage for intention to quit were less likely to have engaged in cessation activities than those in the action/preparation stage (AOR = 0.34). Frequency of coworker encouragement for quitting was positively associated with past-year cessation activities (AOR = 3.25). Frequency of insomnia symptoms was negatively associated with cessation activity participation (AOR = 0.34). Conclusions: Most transit workers who smoke made a past-year quit attempt. Gaining insight into factors associated with participation in cessation activities can aid worksite efforts to promote cessation and reduce tobacco-related disparities.

Transit workers constitute a blue-collar occupational group that have elevated smoking rates relative to other sectors of employed adults in the United States. This study analyzed cross-sectional tobacco survey data from 935 workers (60% African American; 37% female) employed at an urban public transit agency in California. Prevalence of current and former smoking was 20.3% and 20.6%, respectively. Younger workers were less likely than older workers to be current or former smokers. Having a complete home smoking ban was associated with decreased likelihood of being a smoker [odds ratio (OR) = 0.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.01-0.17], as were neutral views about whether it is easy for a smoker to take a smoking break during their shift (OR = 0.50, 95% CI 0.28-0.88). Current smoking among the sample is > 50% higher than the adult statewide prevalence. Potential points of intervention identified in this study include perceived ease of worksite smoking breaks and establishing home smoking bans. Tailored cessation efforts focusing on older transit workers more likely to smoke are needed to reduce tobacco-related disparities in this workforce.

The article focuses on a study, which explores AIDS-related worry among African American women and determine whether AIDS risk behaviors were associated with women's AIDS-related worry status. Despite the higher prevalence of AIDS among African American women compared with other populations of women in the U.S., only a few studies have included African American women from the general population. In studying health and illness, an individual's self-perceived vulnerability to becoming ill has been a critical component in explaining why people engage in health-related behavior. The Parent Health Project was designed to investigate concepts of health and illness, specifically AIDS, among African American mothers of elementary school children. Worry status was not related to HIV risk behaviors, even though risky behaviors were commonly reported. Women at the beginning of a romantic or sexual involvement with a new partner attend differently to HIV/AIDS education prevention messages than do married women or those in long-term stable relationships.

The article examines the HIV testing patterns among low-income African-American mothers in the U.S. Interviews were conducted to determine whether African-American women had been tested for HIV, their sexual behaviors particularly in the number of sexual partners and condom use and health care access and utilization. The behavior of women to get tested with HIV suggest that these women understand the concept of the risk and how certain behaviors may place them at risk. However, HIV testing is not a major preventive measure, but the incorporation of methods to promote protective behavioral changes.