Reducing Tobacco Exposures Among African American Socially Disadvantaged Children and Women Caregivers in the AR Delta Region
Secondhand smoke exposure in the home can causes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), asthma, respiratory illnesses, and ear infections in children. In addition to cigarette smoke, exposure to other tobacco products can further compromise the safety of children in the home. This study aims to reduce the burden of multiple tobacco exposures, improve access to preventive care, and reduce the disproportionate risk for chronic diseases, including cancer, among African American women and children living in the Arkansas Delta region. Our central hypothesis is that messages delivered by a community health worker that aim to modify knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and subjective norms may influence the perceived threat of tobacco exposures and provide cues for African American women caregivers to implement comprehensive smokefree policies to protect their children from the harms of tobacco and in-turn, influence their quitting.
• African American women caregivers
• Aged 18-50
• Primary caregivers of at least one child in the home aged 6 months-14 (birth parent, guardian)
• Primary decision-maker in the AR home
• English speaking
• Can provide written informed consent
• Working phone and home address
• Smoked cigarettes and/or cigars for at least 1 year
• Low income as defined by any indicator (e.g., Medicaid; Earned Income Tax Credit; Children's Health Insurance Plan \[ARKids\]; subsidized housing; child care subsidies; food stamps; low-income energy assistance; free/reduced lunch program; supplemental nutrition program; Head Start program)
• Live in the home with African American WCG who is the legal parent or guardian enrolled in study
• Aged 6 months to 14 years
• Non-tobacco user