Feasibility of a tobacco cessation intervention for pregnant Alaska Native women.
BACKGROUND
Among Alaska Native women residing in the Yukon-Kuskokwim (Y-K) Delta region of Western Alaska, about 79% smoke cigarettes or use smokeless tobacco during pregnancy. Treatment methods developed and evaluated among Alaska Native pregnant tobacco users do not exist. This pilot study used a randomized two-group design to assess the feasibility and acceptability of a targeted cessation intervention for Alaska Native pregnant women.


METHODS
Recruitment occurred over an 8-month period. Enrolled participants were randomly assigned to the control group (n = 18; brief face-to-face counseling at the first visit and written materials) or to the intervention group (n = 17) consisting of face-to-face counseling at the first visit, four telephone calls, a video highlighting personal stories, and a cessation guide. Interview-based assessments were conducted at baseline and follow-up during pregnancy (>or=60 days postrandomization). Feasibility was determined by the recruitment and retention rates.


RESULTS
The participation rate was very low with only 12% of eligible women (35/293) enrolled. Among enrolled participants, the study retention rates were high in both the intervention (71%) and control (94%) groups. The biochemically confirmed abstinence rates at follow-up were 0% and 6% for the intervention and control groups, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The low enrollment rate suggests that the program was not feasible or acceptable. Alternative approaches are needed to improve the reach and efficacy of cessation interventions for Alaska Native women.
Patten
Christi A
CA
Department of Psychiatry and Psychology and Behavioral Health Research Program, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 First Street Southwest, Charlton 6-273, Rochester, MN 55901, USA. patten.christi@mayo.edu
Windsor
Richard A
RA
Renner
Caroline C
CC
Enoch
Carrie
C
Hochreiter
Angela
A
Nevak
Caroline
C
Smith
Christina A
CA
Decker
Paul A
PA
Bonnema
Sarah
S
Hughes
Christine A
CA
Brockman
Tabetha
T
D000328:Adult; D000413:Alaska / Q000453:epidemiology; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology; D003376:Counseling / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D004930:Inuit / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011295:Prenatal Care / Q000379:methods*; D012907:Smoking / Q000208:ethnology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000208:ethnology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult