Consideration of factors prior to implementing a smoking cessation program

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Adolescent Health
• Smoking Cessation

Background:

• Smoking during pregnancy poses significant health risks to both mother and child.
• African-American teens represent a demographic with specific needs for smoking cessation interventions.
• Feasibility studies are crucial for designing effective public health programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility of accessing, recruiting, and retaining pregnant African-American teens in a smoking cessation program.
• To compare the success of recruitment and retention strategies between clinic and school-based sites.

Main Methods:

• A feasibility study was conducted with pregnant African-American teens.
• Two recruitment sites were assessed: a clinic and a school.
• Data on access, recruitment, and retention were collected at both sites.

Main Results:

• The school site was successful for access, recruitment, and retention.
• The clinic site was not successful.
• Key strengths of the school site included its structured environment, familiar setting, recruitment by established school personnel, and administrative support.

Conclusions:

• School-based settings are a viable and effective location for recruiting and retaining pregnant African-American teens in smoking cessation programs.
• Leveraging existing school structures and relationships can enhance program feasibility.
• Future interventions should prioritize school-based approaches for this population.