Tobacco use and cessation among Asian Oregonians: A community-based participatory approach for reducing tobacco related health disparities in the Asian population

Asian Oregonians tend to be underrepresented in tobacco use prevalence surveillance and underserved for tobacco cessation. To begin to fill the data gap on Asian Oregonian tobacco use and cessation needs, the Asian Family Center (AFC) initiated a two-phase, mixed methods study exploring factors that influence tobacco use and cessation among Asian Oregonians. Taking a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, AFC partnered with the Oregon Tobacco Prevention and Education Program (TPEP) and a private research firm (NPC Research) to answer questions such as: 1) Is linguistic acculturation related to tobacco use and access to cessation resources?; 2) What demographic characteristics are related to tobacco use?; and 3) Are perceptions of harm of tobacco use related to access to cessation resources? In this presentation, we will first describe the process through which the project was developed using a CBPR approach. CBPR differs from traditional research methods by engaging stakeholders through ongoing dialogue meant to facilitate shared learning and power about design, data collection, and use of information. Second, we will explain how we implemented the quantitative phase of the project, a mailed survey (translated into seven different Asian languages) that reached approximately 1300 adult Asian Oregonians, and share some initial findings. Third, we will describe how we conducted 30 in-depth interviews with Asian Oregonians who self-identified as current smokers, and reveal some of the barriers to accessing cessation services. Finally, we will discuss the successes and challenges faced throughout the process and present strategies for dealing with challenges as they arise.