A review of tobacco interventions for Indigenous Australians

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a review of interventions to reduce the harm resulting from tobacco use among Indigenous Australians and to discuss the likely effect of a range of tobacco interventions if conducted in this population. METHODS: A systematic review of medical literature and an audit of information from 32 government departments, non-government organisations and indigenous health organisations, which was completed in March 2001. RESULTS: A number of small tobacco programs had been conducted. Only four tobacco interventions had been evaluated in indigenous communities: a trial of training health professionals in conducting a brief intervention for smoking cessation; a trial of a CD-ROM on tobacco for use with indigenous schoolchildren; a qualitative evaluation of the effect of a mainstream advertising campaign on Indigenous people; and a pilot study of smoke-free workplaces, evaluated by qualitative methods. None of these studies assessed smoking cessation as an outcome. Two of these studies were unable to conclusively show any effect of the interventions; training health professionals in delivering a brief intervention resulted in some changes to practice and the evaluation of the mainstream advertising campaign showed that following the campaign, knowledge about tobacco had increased. CONCLUSIONS: There was a major lack of research on and evaluation of tobacco interventions for Indigenous Australians. IMPLICATIONS: More research and evaluation is required to ensure that tobacco interventions are appropriate and effective for Indigenous people. It is time to cease chronicling the ill health of Indigenous Australians and time to ensure the availability of well-evaluated, effective tobacco programs.     

Adolescents, Celebrity Worship, and Cosmetic Surgery

PurposeTo evaluate the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of a population-based intervention to promote health of youth (age: 16–24 years) in Goa.MethodsTwo pairs of urban and rural communities were selected; one of each was randomly assigned to receive a multi-component intervention and the other wait-listed. The intervention comprised educational institution-based peer education and teacher training (in the urban community), community peer education, and health information materials. Effectiveness was assessed through before–after population surveys at baseline and at 18 months. Outcomes were measured using a structured interview schedule with all eligible youth. Logistic regression compared each pair, adjusted for baseline differences, on prevalence of outcomes in the domains of reproductive and sexual health (RSH), violence, mental health, substance use, and help seeking for health concerns.ResultsIn both intervention communities, prevalence of violence perpetrated and probable depression was significantly lower and knowledge and attitudes about RSH significantly higher (p < .05). The rural sample also reported fewer menstrual complaints and higher levels of help-seeking for RSH complaints by women, and knowledge and attitudes about emotional health and substance use; and, the urban sample reported significantly lower levels of substance use, suicidal behavior, sexual abuse, and RSH complaints. Although information materials were acceptable and feasible in both communities, community peer education was feasible only in the rural community. The institution-based interventions were generally acceptable and feasible.ConclusionsMulticomponent interventions comprising information materials, educational-institution interventions and, in rural contexts, community peer interventions are acceptable and feasible and likely to be effective for youth health promotion.     

Supporting healthy drink choices in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities: a community‐led supportive environment approach

Objective : To create supportive environments to reduce sugary drink consumption and increase water consumption by partnering with remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Cape York. Methods : This paper applied qualitative and quantitative methods to evaluate a co‐designed multi‐strategy health promotion initiative, implemented over 12 months from 2017 to 2018. Outcome measures included changes in community readiness, awareness of the social marketing campaign and changes in drink availability. Changes in store drink sales were measured in one community and compared to sales in a control store. Results : Community readiness to address sugary drink consumption increased in two of the three communities. Awareness of social marketing campaign messaging was high (56–94%). Availability of drinking water increased in all communities. Water sales as a proportion of total drink volume sales increased by 3.1% (p<0.001) while sugary drink volume sales decreased by 3.4% (p<0.001). Conclusions : A multi‐component strategy with strong engagement from local government, community leaders and the wider community was associated with positive changes in community readiness, drink availability and sales. Implications for public health : Partnering with community leaders in the co‐design of strategies to create environments that support healthy drink consumption can stimulate local action and may positively affect drink consumption.     

Substance misuse intervention research in remote Indigenous Australian communities since the NHMRC ‘Roadmap’

Objective : Describe program theories of substance misuse interventions with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) Australians funded by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) since the ‘Roadmap’ for Indigenous health. Methods : Projects funded 2003–2013 were categorised by intervention strategies. Realist concepts informed the program theory: intended resources and responses; influence of context on outcomes; explicit and implicit program assumptions. Results : Seven interventions were included. Three randomised controlled trials targeted tobacco using psychosocial interventions in primary health centres using the program theory: “Local Indigenous health workers extend and sustain the effects of conventional clinical brief intervention by engendering social and cultural resources”. Four pragmatic trials of multiple‐component, community‐based interventions using controlled, semi‐controlled or before‐and‐after designs used the program theory: “Discrete intervention components targeting locally defined substance misuse issues will activate latent capacities to create an environment that favours cessation.” Publications did not report clear effect, implementation fidelity or explicit mechanisms affecting participant thinking. Conclusions : Rigorous intervention designs built on ‘Roadmap’ principles neither reduced substance use in the populations studied nor identified transferable mechanisms for behaviour change. Implications for public health : Substance misuse impacts among Indigenous Australians remain severe. Theoretical mechanisms of behaviour change may improve intervention design.     

Low daily smoking estimates derived from sales monitored tobacco use in six remote predominantly Aboriginal communities

Objective : To estimate daily cigarette consumption among residents aged 15+ in five remote central Australian predominantly Aboriginal communities. Methods : Estimation of average daily cigarette consumption derived from a 12‐month (2007) complete sales audit of cigarettes in isolated communities where no other tobacco supplies are available, using two assumptions of smoking prevalence (50% and 70%). Results : Across the five communities, daily smoking consumption averaged 8.3 cigarettes per day (assuming a 50% smoking prevalence) or 5.9 cigarettes per day (assuming a 70% smoking prevalence). The corresponding amounts spent per smoker per day were $4.13 or $2.95, representing 12.7%‐9.1% of the maximum $453.30 per fortnight unemployment allowance for a single person. Conclusion : While smoking prevalence may be high in these Aboriginal communities, smoking frequency is low compared to that in the wider Australian community. These results are consistent with other studies. Approaches to cessation premised on assumptions of nicotine dependence in such populations are likely to be misconceived.     

The relationship between tobacco access and use among adolescents: a four community study

The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a longitudinal community intervention on the reduction of tobacco sales to minors and subsequent effects on tobacco consumption by youths. The study was conducted in Monterey County, CA. Four rural communities were randomized into treatment and comparison arms of the study and middle and high school students in each of these communities completed surveys assessing knowledge, attitude, and behavior. The main outcome measures were retail tobacco sales to minors as measured through store visits (tobacco purchase surveys) and self-reported consumption of tobacco. Over a three-year period, a diverse array of community interventions were implemented in the intervention communities. These included community education, merchant education, and voluntary policy change. In the treatment communities, the proportion of stores selling tobacco to minors dropped from 75% at baseline to 0% at the final post-test. In the comparison communities, the proportions were 64% and 39%, respectively. Although the availability of tobacco through commercial outlets was reduced substantially in intervention communities, youths reported still being able to obtain tobacco from other sources. Predicted treatment effects on reported use of tobacco among youths were observed cross-sectionally and longitudinally for younger students (7th graders). The intervention did not impact tobacco use among older students (9th and 11th graders) although the trends were in the predicted direction for 9th graders. A significant intervention effect was found for sex--females in the intervention communities were less likely to use tobacco post-intervention than females in the comparison communities. Tobacco sales to minors can be reduced through a broad-based intervention. To prevent or reduce tobacco use by youths, however, multiple supply-and demand-focused strategies are needed.     

Does health assessment improve health outcomes in Indigenous people? An RCT with 13 years of follow‐up

Objective: To examine the impact of a multi-component health assessment on mortality and morbidity in Kimberley Aboriginal residents during a 13-year follow-up.
Method: A population-based randomised controlled trial using linked hospital, cancer and death records to evaluate outcomes in 620 intervention and 6,736 control subjects.
Results: The intervention group had a higher rate of first-time hospitalisation for any reason (IRR=1.37; 95% Cl 1.25-1.50), a higher rate of injury-related hospital episodes (IRR=1.31; 95% Cl 1.15-1.48) and a higher notification rate of alcoholrelated cancers There was a smaller difference in the rates of multiple hospitalisations (IRR=1.14; 95% Cl 0.75-1.74) and no improvement in overall mortality compared with controls (IRR=1.08; 95% Cl 0.91-1.29).
Conclusions: There was no overall mortality benefit despite increased health service contact associated with the intervention.
Implications: Although not influencing mortality rates, multi-component health assessment may result in a period of increased health service use in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, thus constituting an 'intervention'. However, this should not be confused with systematic and sustained interventions and investment in community development to achieve better health outcomes.     

Quitting smoking and experience of smoking cessation interventions among UK Bangladeshi and Pakistani adults: the views of community members and health professionals

OBJECTIVE: To explore attitudes to quitting smoking and experience of smoking cessation among Bangladeshi and Pakistani ethnic minority communities. DESIGN: Qualitative study using community participatory methods, purposeful sampling, interviews and focus groups, and a grounded approach to data generation and analysis. SETTING: Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, 2000-2002. PARTICIPANTS: 53 men and 20 women aged 18-80 years, including smokers, former smokers, and smokers' relatives, from the Bangladeshi and Pakistani communities; and eight health professionals working with these communities. RESULTS: Motivation to quit was high but most attempts had failed. "Willpower" was the most common approach to quitting. For some, the holy month of Ramadan was used as an incentive, however few had been successful in quitting. Perceived barriers to success included being tempted by others, everyday stresses, and withdrawal symptoms. Few participants had sought advice from health services, or received cessation aids, such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or buproprion. Family doctors were not viewed as accessible sources of advice on quitting. Health professionals and community members identified common barriers to accessing effective smoking cessation, including: language, religion and culture; negative attitudes to services; and lack of time and resources for professionals to develop necessary skills. CONCLUSIONS: High levels of motivation do not seem to be matched by effective interventions or successful attempts to quit smoking among Bangladeshi and Pakistani adults in the UK. There is a need to adapt and test effective smoking cessation interventions to make them culturally acceptable to ethnic minority communities. UK tobacco control policies need to give special attention to the needs of ethnic minority groups.     

American Indian Knowledge,Attitudes, and Beliefs About Smokeless Tobacco: A Comparison of Two Focus Group Studies

Though smokeless tobacco (SLT) use has decreased in many communities, concern for American Indian (AI) SLT use remains, as this population continues to be disproportionally affected by SLT-related diseases. Tobacco has cultural significance to many AI tribes, therefore tobacco cessation messages portraying tobacco as entirely negative may be ineffective. As a part of our formative research for an SLT cessation intervention, we sought to gain a better understanding of the knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about SLT among AI community members. We describe two independent focus group studies conducted in Montana (ten focus groups, 54 participants) and Kansas (six focus groups, 27 participants). Predominant themes emerged from three major topic areas (SLT use, program development, and recreational SLT use) during the discussions from both studies. The formative approach and data from these studies will allow us to more appropriately address SLT-related health disparities across multiple AI communities.     

Effectiveness of a low-intensity intra-worksite intervention on smoking cessation in Japanese employees: a three-year intervention trial

To test the effectiveness of a low-intensity intervention program for smoking cessation targeting the worksite environment in employees who had a low readiness to quit, we conducted an intervention trial at six intervention and six control worksites in Japan. A total of 2,307 smokers at baseline who remained at their worksite throughout the three-year study period were analyzed (1,017 in intervention and 1,290 in control groups). The multi-component program at the worksites consisted of (1) presenting information on the harms of tobacco smoking and the benefits of cessation by posters, websites, and newsletters; (2) smoking cessation campaigns for smokers; (3) advice on designation of smoking areas; and (4) periodic site-visits of the designated smoking areas by an expert researcher. At baseline, the intervention and control groups each had high prevalence of immotive or precontemplation, that reflected low readiness to quit (71.5% and 73.2%, respectively). The smoking cessation rate, as not having smoked for the preceding six months or longer, assessed at 36 months after the baseline survey by a self-administered questionnaire was significantly higher in the intervention group than the control group (12.1%, vs. 9.4%, p=0.021). The intervention program still had a significant effect on the smoking cessation rate after multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for sex, age, type of occupation, age of starting smoking, quit attempts in the past, number of cigarettes per day, and readiness to quit (odds ratio: 1.38, 95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.81, p=0.02). The cost per additional quitter due to the intervention was calculated to be Yen 70,080. These findings indicate that this program is effective and can be implemented in similar workplaces where the prevalence of smoking is high and smokers' readiness to cease smoking is low.     

Estimating tobacco consumption in remote Aboriginal communities using retail sales data: some challenges and opportunities

Objective: To describe and discuss challenges and opportunities encountered when estimating tobacco consumption in six remote Aboriginal communities using tobacco sales data from retail outlets. Approach: We consider tobacco sales data collected from retail outlets selling tobacco to six Aboriginal communities in two similar but separate studies. Despite challenges – including: not all outlets provided data; data not uniform across outlets (sales and invoice data); change in format of data; personnel change or management restructures; and anomalies in data and changes in community populations – tobacco consumption was estimated and returned through project newsletters and community feedback sessions. Amounts of tobacco sold were returned using graphs in newsletters and pictures of items common to the community in community feedback sessions. Conclusions: Despite inherent limitations of estimating tobacco consumption using tobacco sales data, returning the amount of tobacco sold to communities provided an opportunity to discuss tobacco consumption and provide a focal point for individual and community action. Using this method, however, may require large and sustained changes be observed over time to evaluate whether initiatives to reduce tobacco consumption have been effective. Implications: Estimating tobacco consumption in remote Aboriginal communities using tobacco sales data from retail outlets requires careful consideration of many logistical, social, cultural and geographic challenges.     

戒烟干预对吸烟者知识、态度和行为的影响

目的 评价戒烟干预对戒烟门诊求助者烟草相关知识、态度和行为(知、信、行)的影响。方法 以2008年10 月至2013 年8月解放军总医院戒烟门诊就医的未使用戒烟药物的吸烟者为研究对象,戒烟门诊医师首诊时为吸烟者进行≥30 min的面对面咨询和心理干预,之后1周、1个月、3个月和6个月时共进行4次随访电话干预(每次15～20 min).对照组为2012 年8月至2013 年8月解放军总医院健康医学中心某病区常规查体的吸烟者,基线和随访时均不进行干预。比较基线和1年随访时干预组和对照组烟草相关知、信、行的变化情况。结果 干预组和对照组分别纳入414例和213例研究对象。意向性分析显示,干预组1年随访烟草相关知、信方面共有5个变量的知晓/同意率高于基线。两组的1年随访时点戒烟率分别为4.7%和27.3%.logistic 多元回归分析显示,1年随访时戒烟率与暴露于戒烟干预、女性、尼古丁依赖评分低和烟草相关知识及态度正向变化(吸烟导致心脏病、应该禁止各种形式的烟草产品推广、吸烟浪费金钱和酒楼、饭店应该全面禁烟)共7个变量呈正相关,其OR值(95%CI)分别为2.85(2.00～4.07)、3.34(1.23～9.07)、2.78(1.64～4.72)、2.30(1.03～5.15)、5.33(1.47～19.32)、6.32(1.56～25.62)和10.47(2.25～48.84).结论 戒烟门诊求助者的烟草危害认知水平普遍较高,通过系统化戒烟干预,部分吸烟者知识及态度有了一定提高。烟草相关知识及态度的有益转变,有利于提高戒烟率。     

Large scale food retailing as an intervention for diet and health: quasi-experimental evaluation of a natural experiment

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect on fruit and vegetable consumption, self reported, and psychological health of a "natural experiment"-the introduction of large scale food retailing in a deprived Scottish community. DESIGN: Prospective quasi-experimental design comparing baseline and follow up data in an "intervention" community with a matched "comparison" community in Glasgow, UK. PARTICIPANTS: 412 men and women aged 16 or over for whom follow up data on fruit and vegetable consumption and GHQ-12 were available. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Fruit and vegetable consumption in portions per day, poor self reported health, and poor psychological health (GHQ-12). MAIN RESULTS: Adjusting for age, sex, educational attainment, and employment status there was no population impact on daily fruit and vegetable consumption, self reported, and psychological health. There was some evidence for a net reduction in the prevalence of poor psychological health for residents who directly engaged with the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Government policy has advocated using large scale food retailing as a social intervention to improve diet and health in poor communities. In contrast with a previous uncontrolled study this study did not find evidence for a net intervention effect on fruit and vegetable consumption, although there was evidence for an improvement in psychological health for those who directly engaged with the intervention. Although definitive conclusions about the effect of large scale retailing on diet and health in deprived communities cannot be drawn from non-randomised controlled study designs, evaluations of the impacts of natural experiments may offer the best opportunity to generate evidence about the health impacts of retail interventions in poor communities.     

Tobacco cessation in adolescent females in Appalachian communities

Adolescents who live in tobacco-growing areas use tobacco at earlier ages and more frequently than other youth. These adolescents, like all tobacco users, have many health risks. To be successful, cessation efforts targeting these youth must reflect the cultural, social, and economic import of tobacco in their communities. Six focus groups with girls aged 12 to 14 who lived in tobacco-growing communities in Appalachian Ohio, Tennessee, and Virginia and 20 interviews with key informants were conducted. Barriers identified by informants included community norms around tobacco use, family use of tobacco, school practices and policies, peer influences, youth attitudes, and logistical difficulties with cessation program efforts. Key findings indicated: (1) the social community in tobacco-growing communities is a significant influence in tobacco use; (2) family is important among young people in tobacco-growing communities and influences cessation positively and negatively; (3) parental smoking was an influence to smoke (4) some parents condone and even facilitate tobacco use by their children, but others actively discourage use; and (5) concern for the health of younger brothers and sisters elicits a strongly protective reaction from youth in discussions of health risks related to secondhand smoke. Youth in tobacco-growing regions have many similarities to others, but they also have unique cultural characteristics pertinent in the development and delivery of tobacco cessation programs.     

Promoting smoking cessation among prisoners: feasibility of a multi-component intervention

OBJECTIVE:To conduct a pilot study to determine the feasibility and effectiveness of a multi-component smoking cessation intervention among prison inmates. METHODS: A prospective study conducted within a maximum-security prison located near Sydney, New South Wales, and housing around 330 men. Participants received a smoking cessation intervention with six-month follow-up to determine abstinence. The smoking cessation intervention consisted of two brief cognitive behavioural therapy sessions, nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion and self-help resources. Point prevalence and continuous abstinence at follow-up were verified with expired carbon monoxide measures. RESULTS: Thirty male inmates participated in the intervention. At six months, the biochemically validated point prevalence and continuous abstinence rates were 26% and 22% respectively. Reasons for relapse to smoking included: transfers to other prisons without notice, boredom, prolonged periods locked in cells, and stress associated with family or legal concerns. Those inmates who relapsed, or continued to smoke following the intervention, smoked less tobacco than at baseline and 95% stated they were willing to try to quit again using our intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Prison inmates are able to quit or reduce tobacco consumption while in prison but any smoking cessation intervention in this setting needs to address prison-specific issues such as boredom, stress, transfers to other prisons, court appearances, and isolation from family and friends. IMPLICATIONS: The prevalence of smoking within Australian prisons is alarmingly high. Further work into how to encourage prisoners to quit smoking is required.     

Family Violence and the Need for Prevention Research in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Communities

Existing sources produce widely varying estimates of family violence in First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities; taken together, they imply a convincing if poorly quantified higher risk of family violence in Aboriginal communities, with the greater burden borne by women. With the accelerating HIV epidemic in some Aboriginal communities, prevention of domestic violence takes on even greater urgency. Five planks in a prevention research platform include: training emerging researchers from all Aboriginal groups to promote culturally specific research; systematic review of unpublished and published knowledge of interventions that reduce domestic violence; intervention theory development specific to each community; attention to the particular ethical issues; and methods development focused on interventions.     

Minimal smoking cessation interventions in prenatal, family planning, and well-child public health clinics

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the prevalence and effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions for women of childbearing age in public health clinics. METHODS: Smokers in prenatal, family planning, and well-child services in 10 public health clinics (n = 1021) were interviewed 5 to 8 weeks after a medical visit to assess their exposure to smoking cessation interventions and smoking cessation outcomes. RESULTS: Depending on clinic service and intervention component (poster, video segment, provider advice, booklet), 16% to 63% of women reported exposure to an intervention component during their visit. Women in prenatal services received more interventions and had better outcomes than those in the other services. CONCLUSIONS: Exposure to more interventions increased readiness and motivation to quit and the number of actions taken toward quitting.     

Acculturation and tobacco use among Chinese Americans

OBJECTIVES: We examined the relationship between acculturation and tobacco use behaviors among Chinese Americans. METHODS: Using a Chinese-language instrument based on validated questions from several national surveys, we conducted in-person, household-based interviews with 712 representative adults aged 18-74 years. RESULTS: Observed smoking prevalence was 29% for men and 4% for women. Predictors of smoking cessation included being 35 years and older and having a high level of tobacco-related knowledge. Acculturation was positively associated with a history of never smoking, as was being younger than 35 years and having a high level of tobacco-related knowledge. CONCLUSIONS: Acculturation was positively associated with never smoking among men but not with smoking cessation. However, knowledge of tobacco-related health risks was associated with both. Results indicate a need for language-specific educational interventions.