Data from a 1997 survey conducted in Massachusetts Title X family planning programs demonstrate that approximately half of the clients are using tobacco regularly. Smoking rates among the 77,000 low and moderate income women using these facilities are more than double the 22% rate of smoking for all women. These data are significant in that the family planning clients are, by definition, women of childbearing age.
The Family Planning Tobacco Education and Counseling Project was designed to demonstrate the effectiveness of using an incentive-driven staged-based motivational interview and the ability to capitalize on the family planning visit to introduce smoking cessation information, assist clients in cessation efforts and refer clients to appropriate services. This project has 3 components: 1) development of education materials which are specific to the family planning encounter including an informational quiz/raffle ticket and brochure; 2) a demonstration project within family planing agencies using the quiz in a stage-based client centered smoking cessation encounter during routine visits; 3) information dissemination and technical assistance for replication of this model within other family planning sites statewide. Success was measured by staff behavior change, number of clients exposed, and the extent of dissemination. This project was well accepted by staff and providers of family planning services. Clients actually entered family planning to partake of the raffle. The family planning venue is an excellent arena to discuss health behavior change with women of childbearing age in the intrapartum period.
Learning Objectives: Following this session the learner will be able to: 1) Recognize the efficacy of a smoking cessation program within the family planning setting. 2) Identify the components of stage-based motivational interviewing. 3) Describe the use of incentives within behavior modification counseling
Keywords: Family Planning, Smoking Cessation
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Massachusetts Department of Public Health
250 Washington St., Boston Massachusetts
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.