The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA

4005.0: Tuesday, November 12, 2002 - Board 4

Abstract #37967

Evaluation of a statewide, population-based cessation contest

Ellen J. Hahn, DNS, RN1, Mary Kay Rayens, PhD1, Dawn M. Christie, MS1, Todd A. Warnick, MA, MHA, CADC2, and Lisa W. Greathouse, BSN1. (1) College of Nursing, University of Kentucky, 760 Rose Street, Lexington, KY 40536-0232, 859-257-2358, ejhahn00@pop.uky.edu, (2) Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program, Lexington-Fayette County Health Department, 650 Newtown Pike, Lexington, KY 40511

This paper describes a randomized controlled trial of a statewide cessation contest consisting of on-line registration and quit assistance; newspaper registration, entry brochures, and promotional flyers; a toll-free quit line; billboards, paid radio ads, and television spots; and enhanced availability of group/individual cessation counseling. Following an intensive media campaign, a community quit date was set and participants received mailed postcards with quit assistance every week for four weeks and access to on-line and telephone quit assistance. If they quit for 30 days, participants completed an official contest entry ballot with buddy validation. A two-group design was used to test the effect of participation in the contest on tobacco use patterns, quit attempts, and perceived harmfulness of tobacco and secondhand smoke. The treatment group (n=493) was randomly selected from contest registrants (N=879). The control group (n=517) was selected using random digit dialing and matched on past 30-day tobacco use. Control group subjects were not contest participants and had not been exposed to the media campaign component. Data were collected via phone interview at baseline and one-month, 3-months, 6-months, and one-year post community quit date. Urine cotinine was assessed to confirm self-reported quitting by study participants. Calls to the toll-free telephone quit line increased 1100% during the 45-day promotional campaign preceding the community quit date. Preliminary 3-month follow up results show 28% self-reported quit rates among treatment group participants. Six month follow up and preliminary one-year results will be reported.

Learning Objectives:

Keywords: Tobacco Control, Smoking Cessation

Related Web page: quitandwin2001.com

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Funded by the American Legacy Foundation
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Grant received to conduct this research.

National and International Issues in Smoking Cessation Poster Session

The 130th Annual Meeting of APHA