Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #103759

Judith Katzburg, PhD, MPH, RN¹, Melissa M. Farmer, PhD¹, Scott Sherman, MD, MPH², and Ines Poza, PhD³. (1) Center for the Study of Healthcare Provider Behavior, VA Sepulveda, 16111 Plummer St., Building 25, room 144, Sepulveda, CA 91343-2036, 818-891-7711 ext. 5443, judith.katzburg@med.va.gov, (2) Associate Professor 0f Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine/VA Greater Los Angeles Health System, 16111 Plummer Street, North Hills, CA 91343, (3) Poza Consulting Services, 1739 Berkeley St., Santa Monica, CA 90404

Research Objective: Among women using the Veterans Health Administration (VA), the prevalence of smoking (30%) is higher than in the non-veteran population. VA tobacco control efforts have focused on increasing use of evidence-based treatments, but current programs are less effective for women than for men. We conducted focus groups with female veterans who smoke with the goal of creating a new smoking cessation model for women.

Study Design: Twenty-three female veteran smokers participated in one of four focus groups led by a professional moderator. Domains were created a priori and included: 1) the positive and negative aspects of the VA and other smoking cessation programs and 2) components of an ideal smoking cessation model. Transcripts were evaluated by two researchers.

Principal findings: Deficiencies of the current VA smoking cessation program were identified. Themes regarding an ideal model included the importance of psycho-social support; preferences regarding group composition (gender); qualities/roles of moderator; and relapse prevention. The importance of giving women choices and control in creating an individualized program was an overarching theme.

Conclusions: Ideally, female veteran smokers prefer individualized tools and a choice of programs.

Implications for Policy, Delivery, or Practice: The input of female veterans was integral to the creation of a comprehensive menu-driven model designed by a Smoking Cessation Expert Panel. This model includes individualized tools and a choice of programs and will be implemented and evaluated in 2005; if effective, it will increase the range of evidence-based models available to help women veterans quit smoking.

Learning Objectives:

• By the end of the session, participants will describe the process used to create an evidence-based smoking cessation model for women veterans
• At the end of the session, participants will list at least 3 program preferences of female veterans for an ideal smoking cessation model

Keywords: Women's Health, Smoking Cessation

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.