Translational Research in Environmental Tobacco Smoke: From Engaging Inner-City Early Childcare Providers to Disseminating Community-Usable Product

Background: This presentation describes how our community-based participatory research findings regarding parental and other adult environmental tobacco smoke exposure were translated into a curriculum targeting federally subsidized, inner-city daycare providers so they can enhance not only their own capacity to understand and deal with ETS exposure for young children but also increase parents' knowledge of toxins and how to reduce the harms of ETS exposure for young children. Methods: An 18-month community-based participatory research project in equal partnership with a partially subsidized inner-city early childcare center and parent advisory board (PAB) in Minneapolis utilized multiple methods to understand how to mobilize lower income African American parents against the harms of ETS for children ages five and under. Aggregate findings were translated into a format for dissemination with 5 early childcare settings in North Minneapolis. The Set the Rules Manual included 5 lessons with handouts and a kit was developed and used to certify 14 facilitators. Data collected from parents attending the workshop was analyzed through descriptive statistics. Results: The mean age of parents was 35 (n=32 females) with 0-4 children under 5; 40% currently smoked; 25% had partial home and 30% car smoking. Parents in the workshops felt the information was helpful, would use the information, and would reexamine their attitudes regarding exposing children to environmental tobacco smoke. Conclusions: The goal is to seek sustainability of the curriculum within early childcare settings and using this research to advocate to change licensing of childcare centers related to ETS.