Feasibility of a tobacco cessation intervention for pregnant Alaska Native women

• Published in: Nicotine & Tobacco Research
• Main Authors: Patten, Christi A., Windsor, Richard A., Renner, Caroline C., Enoch, Carrie, Hochreiter, Angela, Nevak, Caroline, Smith, Christina A., Decker, Paul A., Bonnema, Sarah, Hughes, Christine A., Brockman, Tabetha
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press 2009
• Subjects: Original Investigation; Yukon; Kuskokwim; Alaska
• Online Access: http://ntr.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/ntp180v1; https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntp180

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 (≥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. Discussion: 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.