An innovative approach to the evaluation of the health, social, and cost impact of regulatory smoke-free multiunit housing policies

Background: No published literature exists on the health, social, and cost impact of the adoption and implementation of smoke-free multiunit housing (MUH) policies using rigorous research designs. Methods: The study uses a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest control group design with 130 MUH operators and 500 residents in each study condition, for a total of 260 MUH operators and 1000 residents each studied at two time intervals. The sampling design uses a multistage cluster probability design to randomly select MUH complexes and units within complexes. MUH complexes will be first stratified by size. After selection of the units, the adult in each household with the most recent birthday will be selected for enrollment in the study; next a child under 18 with the most recent birthday will be selected for enrollment in the study. Parents/caregivers act as proxies for the child survey questions. One hundred randomly selected airborne particle monitoring assessments in MUH complexes will also be conducted per study condition, for a total of 200 assessments at two time intervals. Results: Pretest data collection is expected to be completed by September 1, 2012; preliminary baseline findings from the operator and residents surveys as well as the air quality monitoring assessment will be presented. Conclusions: Regulatory smoke-free MUH policies play a key role in strategies to prevent chronic diseases caused by secondhand smoke exposure. This presentation describes the first study of its kind to evaluate MUH policy impact. Findings will be used to inform development of replicable, evidence-based smoke-free MUH policies and practices.