A self-help smoking cessation program for inner-city African Americans: results from the Harlem Health Connection...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Behavioral Science
• Health Disparities

Background:

• Smoking remains a significant public health issue, disproportionately affecting low-socioeconomic African American populations.
• Existing smoking cessation interventions may not adequately address the cultural nuances and specific needs of this demographic.
• There is a need for accessible and effective interventions tailored to African American smokers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a culturally sensitive, low-intensity smoking cessation intervention for low-socioeconomic African American adult smokers.
• To compare the effectiveness of a multicomponent intervention against standard health education materials.
• To explore potential short-term cessation rates achievable with tailored self-help resources.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial design.
• Intervention group received a printed guide, video, and telephone booster call.
• Control group received general health education materials not focused on tobacco use.
• Post hoc analyses were conducted to explore subgroup effects.

Main Results:

• No significant overall differences in smoking cessation rates between the intervention and control groups.
• Post hoc analyses indicated that culturally sensitive self-help materials with one phone contact achieved short-term cessation rates comparable to majority populations.
• Low completion rates for the booster call and study design limitations were noted.

Conclusions:

• Culturally sensitive self-help smoking cessation materials combined with minimal contact may offer a viable strategy for short-term success in African American smokers.
• Further research is needed to optimize intervention components and address adherence challenges, such as booster call completion.
• Addressing health disparities in smoking cessation requires culturally tailored and accessible approaches.