Exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) is a major public health problem in the United States. Studies conducted in this country and internationally have irrefutably shown the causal role of passively inhaled cigarette smoke in development and exacerbation of acute and chronic diseases.
The intervention will be delivered primarily in the form of fotonovelas based on smoking cessation programs previously developed, and the national telephone quitline specifically designed to serve Latino users. The intervention addresses the needs of Mexican American families (youth, middle-aged, and older adults). The evaluation study will be a randomized, controlled trial with assessments at baseline and at 6 and 12 months post-treatment. Up to 125 households will be recruited from the established cohort of Mexican American households located in the Houston metropolitan area.
The objectives for this study are as follows:1. Reduction in secondhand smoke exposure: The study will distinguish if a tailored intervention designed to address the needs of the target group will reduce objectively and subjectively measured secondhand smoke exposure of nonsmokers in MA households.
1a. Develop tailored Fotonovelas for intervention implementation
2. Smoking cessation: The study will identify if a tailored intervention designed to address the needs of the target group will help the primary smokers in the household quit smoking.
3. Stages of change: The study will identify if the proposed intervention will have a significant impact on the primary smoker(s) progression through the stages of smoking cessation.
4. Knowledge and attitudes: The study will identify if the proposed intervention will result in better knowledge and changed attitudes towards secondhand smoke exposure among members of MA households (smokers and nonsmokers) compared to standard care.
5. Perceived health: The study will distinguish whether reduced exposure to secondhand smoke would improve perceived health. |