A Social Network Family-Focused Intervention to Promote Smoking Cessation in Chinese and Vietnamese Male Smokers: A Mixed Methods Feasibility Study

INTRODUCTION: Smoking prevalence is high among limited English proficient (LEP) Chinese and Vietnamese American men, many of whom are unmotivated to quit and underutilize smoking cessation resources. This study applied lay health worker (LHW) outreach to leverage peer and family networks to promote smoking cessation.

METHODS: We integrated qualitative formative research findings and the Social Network Theory to develop a social-network family-focused intervention. In a single-group trial, 15 LHWs reached 96 dyads (N=192) of Chinese or Vietnamese male daily smokers and their family members through 2 small group education sessions and 2 individual telephone calls over 2 months. We collected quantitative data from baseline and 3-month post-intervention surveys and qualitative data from observations of educational sessions, post-intervention survey comments, and focus groups with LHWs, smokers, and family members.   

RESULTS: At baseline, 42% of smokers were at precontemplation. At 3 months, utilization of evidence-based resources (quitline, medication, physician’s advice) increased from 2% to 60% (p <0.001). Self-reported 7-day and 30-day point prevalence smoking abstinence rates, independently corroborated by family members, were 30% and 24%, respectively.  Qualitative findings showed high acceptability of the intervention, because it created a socially acceptable platform to facilitate communications between smokers and their families. Both qualitative and quantitative findings supported “positive support,” “influence,” “engagement,” and “resource access” as relevant social network processes that activated smokers’ quitting.

CONCLUSIONS: This novel social network family-focused intervention to promote smoking cessation among Chinese and Vietnamese smokers is acceptable and feasible. A randomized controlled trial is underway to establish its efficacy.