title: Smoking cessation behavioural therapy in disadvantaged neighbourhoods: an explorative analysis of recruitment channels.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The optimum channel(s) used to recruit smokers living in disadvantaged neighbourhoods for smoking cessation behavioural therapy (SCBT) is unknown. This paper examines the channels through which smokers participating in a free, multi-session SCBT programme heard about and were referred to this service in a disadvantaged neighbourhood, and compares participants' characteristics and attendance between channels.
  
  
  METHODS
  109 participants, recruited from free SCBT courses in disadvantaged areas of two cities in the Netherlands, underwent repeated surveys. Participants were asked how they heard about the SCBT and who referred them. Participant characteristics were compared between five channels, including the General Practitioner (GP), a community organisation, word of mouth, another health professional, and media or self-referred. Whether the channels through which people heard about or were referred to the service predicted attendance of ≥4 sessions was investigated with logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over a quarter of the participants had no or primary education only, and more than half belonged to ethnic minority populations. Most participants heard through a single channel. More participants heard about (49%) and were referred to (60%) the SCBT by the (GP) than by any other channel. Factors influencing quit success, including psychosocial factors and nicotine dependence, did not differ significantly between channel through which participants heard about the SCBT. No channel significantly predicted attendance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The GP was the single most important source to both hear about and be referred to smoking cessation behavioural therapy in a disadvantaged neighbourhood. A majority of participants of low socioeconomic or ethnic minority status heard about the programme through this channel. Neither the channel through which participants heard about or were referred to the therapy influenced attendance. As such, concentrating on the channel which makes use of the existing infrastructure and which is highest yielding, the GP, would be an appropriate strategy if recruitment resources were scarce.
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. f.e.benson@amc.uva.nl.
authors.forename: Fiona E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: Benson
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Primary Care, LUMC, Hippocratespad 21, 2333 RC, Leiden, The Netherlands. v.nierkens@lumc.nl.
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Nierkens
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Promotion, CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Minderbroedersberg 4-6, 6211 LK, Maastricht, The Netherlands. marc.willemsen@maastrichtuniversity.nl.
authors.forename: Marc C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Willemsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. k.stronks@amc.uva.nl.
authors.forename: Karien
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stronks
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008402:Mass Media; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D011203:Poverty; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000523:psychology; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D035862:Vulnerable Populations