Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #112377

Heather L. Gammel, BA¹, Kristen W. Kovach, MPH¹, Bettina M. Beech, DrPH, MPH², Katherine D. Veazey-Morris, MA¹, Allison E. Kent, MS, RD¹, and Jenilee E. Christy, BA¹. (1) Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, Beach Lab, 106 Psychology Building, Memphis, TN 38152, 901-678-3850, hgammel@memphis.edu, (2) Psychology, University of Memphis, Psychology Building, Memphis, TN 38157

Studies have shown that socioeconomic indicators (e.g., education) are inversely related to smoking prevalence. African Americans are not only disproportionately represented among those with low socioeconomic indicators, but also among smokers and those diagnosed with lung cancer. African American smokers are less likely to experience successful quit attempts than other racial/ethnic groups (7.9% versus 14.0% respectively). Further, African Americans, particularly those with minimal educational attainment, have had reduced access to smoking cessation programs. Vocational schools represent an underutilized channel to access African American adult smokers. The purpose of the ASSETS (A Stop Smoking Endeavor for Technical Students) project is to qualitatively examine intervention strategies in order to develop and implement a culturally-relevant cessation intervention for African American adult smokers. Initially, one-hour, audio-taped focus groups were held with 43 vocational students (17 men and 26 women). Based on results of focus groups, the intervention was developed into a six-week correspondence course comprised of an initial one-hour, in-person session, four subsequent thirty-minute phone calls, and a final one-hour, in-person session. The intervention was multifaceted and included smoking cessation and weight management aids (chewing gum, water bottle, jump rope, and a stress ball), information on various smoking cessation methods, behavioral stress management techniques, and various methods to manage weight during the smoking cessation process. This study is ongoing, but as a result of the first group of participants who have completed the program, 15% have quit smoking and an additional 70% have cut down on the number of cigarettes they smoke daily.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to

• Discern a need for stop smoking programs customized for vocational-technical students, with cultural components for African Americans.
• Understand the components and results of the ASSETS intervention.

Keywords: Smoking Cessation, Special Populations

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.