Who are health influencers? Characterizing a sample of tobacco cessation interveners.
OBJECTIVE
To describe characteristics of health influencers (HIs) prior to training in brief tobacco cessation interventions (BI).


METHODS
HIs (n=910) in Arizona were recruited for a randomized controlled trial comparing training modalities.


RESULTS
Typically middle-aged (M=43, SD=14), non-Hispanic white (68%), female (77%), non-tobacco users (93%), most identified personal (89%) rather than job-related (3%) motivators for becoming cessation interveners. Confidence about intervention ability was high (93%); knowledge scores, however, were low (M=55%, SD=13%).


CONCLUSIONS
HIs exhibiting high motivation to intervene but lacking knowledge about BI strategies may be an untapped resource for tobacco cessation and a variety of other health promotion interventions.
Campbell
Jean
J
University of Arizona, College of Medicine, Department of Family and Community Medicine, Tucson, AZ 85724-5052, USA.
Mays
Mary Z
MZ
Yuan
Nicole P
NP
Muramoto
Myra L
ML
D000328:Adult; D001130:Arizona; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011209:Power, Psychological; D020377:Self Efficacy; D016540:Smoking Cessation