Implementing a Novel Workplace Smoking Cessation Intervention Targeting Hispanic/Latino Construction Workers: A Pilot...

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Public Health Interventions
• Tobacco Control

Background:

• U.S. Hispanic/Latino construction workers are an underserved population regarding smoking cessation.
• Formative research guided the development of a tailored worksite intervention for this demographic.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility, acceptability, and potential efficacy of a novel intervention called "Enhanced Care" (EC).
• To compare EC against "Standard Care" (SC) in a pilot cluster randomized controlled trial.

Main Methods:

• 17 construction sites were enrolled in a two-arm cluster randomized trial (EC vs. SC).
• Interventions included behavioral counseling, quitline referrals, and nicotine replacement therapy.
• Outcomes measured feasibility (enrollment, adherence, retention) and efficacy (6-month prolonged abstinence via CO levels).

Main Results:

• High enrollment (85.9%) and acceptable 6-month follow-up rates were achieved.
• Enhanced Care showed better treatment adherence compared to Standard Care.
• Abstinence rates were 27.7% for EC and 20.3% for SC, though not statistically significant (p = .315).

Conclusions:

• The developed "Enhanced Care" intervention is feasible and acceptable for Hispanic/Latino construction workers.
• The intervention demonstrated a substantial improvement in smoking abstinence rates.
• Involving and training safety managers is crucial for sustainable implementation in the construction sector.