title: Reach and effectiveness of a community program to reduce smoking among ethnic Turkish residents in Rotterdam, the Netherlands: a quasi-experimental design.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Community interventions have been considered promising strategies to reduce smoking prevalence among ethnic minority populations. We assessed the reach and effectiveness of a community program targeted at the Turkish population in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study had a quasi-experimental design, with 1 pretest and 1 posttest among 18- to 60-year-old Turkish residents in a district in Rotterdam (n = 388 at pretest) and in a comparison area in the city of Utrecht (n = 389 at pretest). The surveys included measures of reach and measures of effectiveness. Logistic regression analysis assessed changes in the outcome measures over time, adjusting for sex, age, and educational level.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At posttest, more smokers (62.5%) perceived pros of quitting, and 8.2% had quit. Compared with the comparison group, in the intervention group the changes tended to be greater, but differences were not statistically significant. Of all respondents, 61.2% recognized at least 1 program component, and 23.1% participated in at least 1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on the greater changes in the intervention group (particularly regarding quit rates and pros of smoking), this community intervention can become a promising strategy. To increase potential effectiveness, participation rates need to increase and interventions should last longer and include smoking-cessation support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Centre-University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. v.nierkens@amc.uva.nl
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nierkens
authors.forename: Anton E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Kunst
authors.forename: Hein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: De Vries
authors.forename: Toon A J
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Voorham
authors.forename: Karien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stronks
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019058:Community Networks; D005260:Female; D006078:Government Programs; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011897:Random Allocation; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014421:Turkey / Q000208:ethnology; D055815:Young Adult