A Comparative Analysis of Smoking Rates by Sex and Socioeconomic Status Among Ultra-Orthodox City Residents and Non-Ultra-Orthodox City Residents in Israel

Ronit Pinchas-Mizrachi, Adi Finkelstein

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional study is to examine the differences in smoking rates between ultra-Orthodox Jews and non-ultra-Orthodox Jews and to understand the role of sex and socioeconomic status (SES) in predicting smoking among the two populations. The study population included all Maccabi Healthcare Services members aged 50 or older (N = 30,170) who lived in two cities in the center of Israel: Bnei Brak—a city with a high concentration of ultra-Orthodox, and Ramat Gan—a non-ultra-Orthodox city. After adjusting for age, sex, and SES, the prevalence of smoking in the ultra-Orthodox city was significantly lower than that in the non-ultra-Orthodox city. A significant interaction was found between sex and degree of religiosity in predicting smoking. The smoking differences between men and women in the ultra-Orthodox city were high compared with those in the non-ultra-Orthodox city. Similarly, a significant interaction was found between SES and degree of religiosity in predicting smoking. These results in the effects of sex and SES in predicting smoking between ultra-Orthodox Jews and non-ultra-Orthodox Jews require further research to better understand these differences and plan intervention programs tailored to different populations accordingly.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)451-471
Number of pages21
JournalContemporary Jewry
Volume42
Issue number3-4
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2022
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Israel
  • Sex
  • Smoking
  • Socioeconomic status
  • Ultra-orthodox

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Cultural Studies
  • History
  • Anthropology
  • Religious studies

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