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

Abstract #72638

Debra A. Asselta, RN, MS, Merle J. Weitz, MSW, and Judy Donlen, RN, DNSc, JD. Mom's Quit Connection, Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative, 2500 McClellan Boulevard, Suite 250, Pennsauken, NJ 08109, 856-665-6000, dasselta@snjpc.org

Salem County, in rural southern New Jersey, suffers economic and educational challenges, and high rates of adult tobacco use. Approximately half of the 1,000 mothers delivering locally receive financial assistance and WIC benefit; about 25% admit to smoking while pregnant, thus increasing their children's risk for asthma and respiratory illness. Cultural acceptance of smoking, poor disease prevention knowledge, and competing life stressors further hinder positive health outcomes for these children.

A study will be conducted to determine if asthma education encourages parents to adopt a no smoking policy in their homes. Fifty smoking parents with asthmatic children under age five will be recruited via local signage, advertising incentives and referrals from local health providers. Parents' knowledge of indoor environmental triggers, asthma management skill and beliefs about smoking dangers will be assessed. The severity of the child's asthma will be scaled and baseline cotinine levels will be obtained. Interactive asthma education training will be offered to these parents in local shopping centers, farm markets, and in the "Quitmobile" van. The primary educational focus will be eliminating general environmental asthma triggers, and specifically tobacco smoke in the home and car setting. "On the road" smoking cessation counseling will be offered to interested parents.

After completion of the training, parents' home smoking policy will be assessed and the child's cotinine levels re-evaluated. Knowledge of asthma triggers, confidence in managing asthmatic episodes and rates of smoking will be re-evaluated. Smoking status and cotinine levels will be re-evaluated in six months and a year.

Learning Objectives:

• 1.Identify three factors contributing to high rates of adult smoking in rural communities.
• 2.List three major strategies effective in teaching rural parents of asthmatic children about the dangers of environmental tobacco smoke.

Keywords: Asthma, Smoking Cessation

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.