Reducing tobacco use in pregnancy in yk delta women

Background: Tobacco use adversely affects every state in our nation; however, the large disparity seen in pregnant Alaskan Native women of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Region in Alaska requires specific attention. A culturally relevant intervention to target this group was utilized to address this disparity. The program ran out of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation which provides for the healthcare needs of the region. Purpose: This presentation will show a comprehensive strategy including education, cessation, and counter-marketing interventions targeted at young girls and women of the area. Methods: An inclusive list of potential program participants was generated by querying the Resource and Patient Management System database to extract pregnant Alaskan Native women. Identified individuals were offered educational and cessation intervention. Data gathered through survey characterized the efficacy of ongoing media interventions. Results: Findings indicate reduced prevalence of tobacco use in the last three months of pregnancy compared to baseline statistics. Discussion: Minority and economically disadvantaged populations suffer from tobacco-related diseases at higher rates than the general population. With adequate resources, behavioral interventions can work to offset disparities and help solve public health problems. Challenging the acceptability of tobacco use in pregnancy and altering community, social, and family norms will take a long-term concerted effort. This project has shown that tobacco counseling and education, in conjunction with targeted media efforts, is vital to overall tobacco prevention and control.