Reducing exposure of pre-school children to environmental tobacco smoke: Feasibility of a program for parents and other caregivers
The aim of this study was to assess the viability and potential efficacy of an environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure reduction intervention for at-risk children. The study consisted of a 12-week behavioral intervention and a 6-month follow-up, conducted on a convenience sample (N=43) of low-income, self-identified, adult smokers who were caregivers of 3-5 year old children. The intervention included a manualized program, plus nicotine replacement therapy, and monetary reinforcement of abstinence. Outcome measures included breath carbon monoxide (CO), self-reported smoking practices, level of nicotine dependence, and depression symptoms. Significant reductions were observed in CO concentration, frequency of smoking around children, and nicotine dependence and depression scores. Sixty-one percent of the participants attended 8 or more weekly sessions, and one third remained smoke-free at follow-up. Those who did not quit reported not changing their smoking behavior patterns in vehicles or indoors. The cessation intervention compared well with other interventions for treatment-seeking smokers, suggesting that implementing evidence-based cessation and education programs for caregivers at school sites may be effective in reducing daily exposure to ETS of pre-school children.
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Digital revista |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Sociedad Mexicana de Análisis de la Conducta
2009
|
| Online Access: | http://www.scielo.org.mx/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0185-45342009000200002 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| Summary: | The aim of this study was to assess the viability and potential efficacy of an environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure reduction intervention for at-risk children. The study consisted of a 12-week behavioral intervention and a 6-month follow-up, conducted on a convenience sample (N=43) of low-income, self-identified, adult smokers who were caregivers of 3-5 year old children. The intervention included a manualized program, plus nicotine replacement therapy, and monetary reinforcement of abstinence. Outcome measures included breath carbon monoxide (CO), self-reported smoking practices, level of nicotine dependence, and depression symptoms. Significant reductions were observed in CO concentration, frequency of smoking around children, and nicotine dependence and depression scores. Sixty-one percent of the participants attended 8 or more weekly sessions, and one third remained smoke-free at follow-up. Those who did not quit reported not changing their smoking behavior patterns in vehicles or indoors. The cessation intervention compared well with other interventions for treatment-seeking smokers, suggesting that implementing evidence-based cessation and education programs for caregivers at school sites may be effective in reducing daily exposure to ETS of pre-school children. |
|---|