Development of an Online Smoking Cessation Curriculum for Pacific Islanders: A Community-Based Participatory Research...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Disparities
• Community-Based Research

Background:

• Pacific Islanders (PIs) exhibit disproportionately high rates of cigarette smoking.
• A significant gap exists in culturally relevant, evidence-based smoking cessation interventions for this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a culturally tailored smoking cessation curriculum for young adult Pacific Islanders.
• To demonstrate the effectiveness of a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach in intervention development.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a community-based participatory research (CBPR) framework, ensuring shared leadership between community and academic partners.
• Conducted formative research to inform the curriculum's content and structure.
• Developed eight educational modules incorporating information on smoking risks, cessation benefits, and coping strategies.

Main Results:

• Eight educational modules were co-created through CBPR.
• Modules included information on the dangers of smoking, cessation advantages, and cognitive behavioral therapy techniques for managing cravings and stress.
• Both narrative and non-narrative formats were employed to enhance engagement.

Conclusions:

• Community-based participatory research (CBPR) is essential for developing effective, culturally relevant health interventions.
• The collaborative CBPR approach facilitated knowledge exchange between academic and community partners, leading to a tailored curriculum.