Head Start Families: Getting Involved in Steps Towards Smokefree Homes

Background: One major obstacle to providing tobacco control interventions is recruiting and retaining low-income participants. The purpose of this study was to partner with a federally funded Head Start program to identify interested parents and to keep them involved with a program to reduce children's exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) and help parents to quit smoking.

Methods: We conducted a one hour orientation session for Head Start parents in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania to recruit them to participate in an intervention to develop smokefree homes and to assist interested parents to quit smoking. Data was collected on parents' tobacco-related beliefs and practices and interest in information on quitting and smoke-free homes.

Results: Of the 323 parents in attendance, 181 (56%) were smokers, 76 smoked in their homes, and 315 believed that SHS is dangerous for their children. A total of 145 parents requested information to quit smoking and 94 parents requested information to develop smokefree homes. A total of 33 parents voluntarily enrolled in an intervention program aimed to quit smoking and/or develop a smoke-free home. To date 39% have quit smoking for at least 30 days and 72% have developed and implemented a smoke-free home policy.

Conclusion: Working with community-based organizations outside of traditional public health is an effective means to recruit parents into health interventions and maintain contact with low-income families. Given the linkages of Head Start with their families, there is great potential for sustained health improvements as this relationship continues even after the intervention concludes.