The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #62979

Grace X. Ma, PhD¹, Carolyn Y. Fang, PhD², Suzanne Miller, PhD², Xuefen Su, BA¹, and Philip T Siu, MD³. (1) Department of Public Health, Temple University, 304A Vivacqua Hall, P.O. Box 2843, Philadelphia, PA 19122, 215-204-5108, xma00000@nimbus.temple.edu, (2) Division of Population Science, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 510 Township Line Road, Third Floor, Cheltenham, PA 19012, (3) Chinese Health Information Center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, 111 South 11th Street, STE 1990, Philadelphia, PA 19107

Evidence suggests that although interventions designed to consider culturally relevant barriers or motivators to smoking cessation can significantly enhance intention to quit and boost cessation rates (Orleans et al., 1998), few programs have been developed to address these issues. The present study assesses the feasibility of conducting a brief smoking cessation intervention targeted at Chinese and Korean Americans by adapting a currently utilized program for minority populations. The protocol was developed to be time-, labor-, and cost-effective without compromising its efficacy. The aims of this study are to: a) evaluate whether a theory-driven, enhanced smoking cessation intervention that is culturally adapted to the needs of Asian Americans will result in increased rates of smoking cessation, and b) examine the variables that mediate cessation. This study utilizes a one-group pretest-posttest design. Participants complete a baseline assessment and receive a brief behavioral intervention based on the Cognitive-Social Health Information Processing Model (Miller et al., 1996), along with Nicotine Replacement Therapy. The intervention includes two sessions: in the first, a health educator meets individually with the participant to provide smoking cessation information and culturally relevant strategies to enhance cessation rates; a week later, .the second session is conducted by telephone. Follow-up assessments are conducted 1 week and 1 month post-intervention. Outcome evaluation includes assessment of smoking status, number of quit attempts, and the feasibility and acceptability of the protocol. Thirty participants have completed the program. Currently, we are evaluating results of the study.

Learning Objectives:

• 1. At the conclusion of the session, the audience will be able to describe knowledge and attitude about tobacco use, rates of quitting among Asian American adult smokers and challenges encountered in the conduct of a smoking cessation program for this population.
• 2. At the conclusion of the session, the audience will be able to understand the
• procedures and strategies of how to develop a culturally tailored smoking cessation program for Asian American adult smokers and how to evaluate the effectiveness of the program.

Keywords: Smoking Cessation, Asian Americans

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.