Evaluation of the Aboriginal Tobacco Control Project Quit Group Program — Agentur Pty Ltd

Evaluation of the Aboriginal Tobacco Control Project Quit Group Program (98)

Sinead McElduff 1 , Natasha McEwan 1 , Wendy Roberts 1 , Karen Beetson 2 , Ray Minniecon 3 , Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern 4 , Elizabeth Millen 1
  1. South Western Sydney Local Health District, Narellan, NSW, Australia
  2. Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation, Airds
  3. Babana Aboriginal Men's Group, Sydney
  4. Aboriginal Medical Service Redfern, Sydney

Background:

In response to high smoking rates among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, a partnership project was established in Sydney. Formative research indicated that 71.5% of smokers wanted to quit within the next 30 days to six months. This paper presents the findings of an evaluation of a quit group program and the smoking behaviour of participants.

Methods:

Quit group programs commenced in October 2012 and were co-facilitated by an Aboriginal Health Worker and tobacco control officer in various settings. Participants were recruited at health services and community events. Groups ran for up to nine weeks and included free NRT. A review of the groups included focus groups with past participants, interviews with co-facilitators and weekly diaries tracking the progress of the groups. Data was also collected from participants at baseline, one, three and six month follow-up to monitor smoking prevalence and other associated behaviours.

Results/Discussions:

Eighty-nine participants joined the quit groups from October 2012 to March 2014. Baseline and follow-up surveys were completed for quit groups held between October and August 2013. The remaining surveys will be completed in August 2014. At one month follow-up reported smoke free homes increased from 64% at baseline to 78.2%. At three month follow-up the number of people smoking daily decreased from 78.7% to 61.3%. The most popular NRT products used were the patch (38.7%) and inhaler (38.7%). Suggestions about the length of the program, offering incentives and inclusions of additional content including stress management were received in the evaluation process.

Conclusions/implications:

Quit groups may provide an additional method of support for Aboriginal community members in the process of making a quit attempt. Various challenges have been identified including difficulties in maintaining attendance, encouraging participants to use NRT consistently and ensuring sustainability of the groups. A number of groups are now solely facilitated by an Aboriginal Health Worker.

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