Allison E. Hunter, MS¹, Katherine V. Morris, MA¹, and Bettina M. Beech, DrPH, MPH². (1) Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, 202 Psychology Building, Memphis, TN 38152, 901-678-3850, ahunter1@memphis.edu, (2) Psychology, University of Memphis, Psychology Building, Memphis, TN 38157

Studies have shown that socioeconomic indicators (e.g., education) are inversely related to smoking prevalence. African Americans are not only disproportionately represented among those with low socioeconomic indicators, but also among smokers and those diagnosed with lung cancer. African American smokers are less likely to experience successful quit attempts than other racial/ethnic groups (7.9% versus 14.0%, respectively). Further, African Americans, particularly those with minimal educational attainment, have had reduced access to smoking cessation programs. Vocational schools represent an underutilized channel to access African American adult smokers. The purpose of this study was to qualitatively examine intervention strategies in order to develop a culturally-relevant cessation intervention for African American adult vocational students. One-hour, audio-taped focus groups were held with 43 vocational students (17 men and 26 women). Transcripts were coded independently by two researchers, with themes catalogued for comparison. The PEN-3 model was the conceptual framework used to organize findings into three components: health education, educational diagnosis of health behavior (EDHB), and cultural appropriateness of health behavior (CAHB). The health education component assisted in determining the target audience for data collection and intervention. Themes under EDHB and CAHB (respectively) included: poor stress management skills (enabler, negative); misinformation about nicotine replacement therapy leading to dislike/distrust of these products (perceptions, negative); desire to be good role models and assist others in quitting smoking (nurturers, positive); and finding strength to stop smoking through prayer/meditation (perceptions, exotic). Behavioral management of stress, methods to modify behavior regarding cigarette use, and offering factual information appear to be important factors in the development of a smoking cessation program in the adult vocational school setting.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant in this session will be able to

• Apply the three domains of the PEN-3 conceptual framework for health education programs.
• Recognize important factors in development of a smoking cessation program for adult vocational students.

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.