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Theory-based development and testing of an adolescent tobacco-use awareness program
Dennis W Smith1, Brian Colwell, James J Zhang
1Department of Health and Human Performance, University of Houston, TX 77204-5331, USA. dwsmith@uh.edu
American Journal of Health Behavior
|April 3, 2002
Summary
This study developed an effective tobacco awareness and cessation program for youth. The program successfully moved participants to action and 40% reported being tobacco-free at follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Adolescent Health
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Tobacco use among youth remains a significant public health concern.
- Effective, evidence-based interventions are needed to address adolescent tobacco use.
- Previous programs may lack theoretical grounding or iterative development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and disseminate an effective tobacco awareness and cessation program for youth.
- To evaluate the program's impact on participants' stage of change regarding tobacco use.
- To assess the program's effectiveness in promoting tobacco abstinence.
Main Methods:
- Utilized self-report data from 1,601 youth participants.
- Incorporated implementation data from 16 site facilitators for program evaluation.
- Employed a theoretically based approach with iterative program development.
Main Results:
- The program reached approximately 146 classes and 1,601 youth.
- A statistically significant increase (p<.01) in participants reaching the action stage of change was observed.
- At follow-up, 40% of participants reported sustained tobacco abstinence.
Conclusions:
- Iterative program development is crucial for creating effective public health interventions.
- A theoretically based program, such as the Adolescent Tobacco Cessation Program (ATCP), shows promise.
- The ATCP is a viable public health intervention for reducing youth tobacco use.