Objective: Develop culturally relevant tobacco prevention materials that provide Appalachian women tools to prevent tobacco use among their children and secondhand smoke in the home, and to assist spouses to quit tobacco use.
Method: Ninety-three women from the Appalachian portions of 10 states participated in 12 focus groups in Summer 1999. Focus groups in Sevier County, TN (n=9), Russell County, VA (n=8), and Allegany County, MD (n=6) investigated images for use in health materials. Focus groups in Meigs County, OH (n=9); Clay County, KY (n=8); and Cherokee County, AL (n=6) explored participants’ attitudes toward their children’s tobacco use. Focus groups in Jackson County, WV (n=6); Perry County, KY (n=9); and Walker County, GA (n=8) examined attitudes toward secondhand smoke. Focus groups in Greene County, PA (n=7); Mingo County, WV (n=9); and Buncombe County, NC (n=8) assessed possibilities to help the women’s family members to quit tobacco use.
Results: Women preferred images that suggested serenity. Family is important, and adult family members will alter behavior, including tobacco use, to benefit the young. The women did not want their children to use tobacco, but they lack the tools to prevent it. There is readiness even in tobacco-growing regions to forego smoking around children.
Discussion: The research indicates the need for health materials and efforts that present a positive parental role; encourage parents to change unhealthful behaviors to protect their families; and recognize, encourage, and support a maternal role in prevention.
Learning Objectives: At the end of the session, participants will be able to: (1) Define an approach to health education in Appalachia that relies upon the central importance of nuclear and extended family and the unique influence of women over the family's health-related behaviors. (2) Define an approach to the development of culturally relevant health education materials that relies upon sound theory and high community participation. (3) Recognize cultural influences in tobacco prevention materials for distinct groups in the Appalachian region, including Appalachian youth, persons who smoke around infants and children, and tobacco users
Keywords: Tobacco, Rural Populations
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Toborg Associates
1325 Eighteenth Street, NW
Suite 207
Washington, DC 20036-6501
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.