Healthy Pregnancies Project: Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial of a Community Intervention to Reduce Tobacco Use among Alaska Native Women

A systematic review of smoking cessation interventions tested among Indigenous populations in the United States

INTRODUCTION

Smoking remains highly prevalent among Indigenous populations in the U.S., contributing to cardiovascular and cancer health disparities. Tailored smoking cessation interventions can reduce these disparities among Indigenous people, but the current evidence regarding the effectiveness of such extant interventions is unclear. This review aimed to collate evidence about the smoking cessation interventions tested among Indigenous groups in the U.S.

METHODS

The study systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science in September 2023 for experimental or quasi-experimental studies of smoking cessation interventions among Indigenous adults in the U.S. The Cochrane guidelines assessed study bias. Outcomes included self-reported and bio-verified smoking abstinence.

RESULTS

The review included eight studies, comprising 7 randomized control trials (RCTs) and 1 quasi-experimental trial evaluating multi-component interventions. The interventions included counseling, education, cultural tailoring, pharmacotherapy, mobile medical apps, and social media. The smoking abstinence outcomes varied. Four RCTs found no significant differences in self-reported or bio-verified abstinence between groups. Two RCTs showed significantly higher self-reported abstinence with culturally tailored interventions, while two postpartum RCTs found no difference between groups. The one-group quasi-experimental study showed a retention rate of 71 % and an abstinence rate of 31 % at 6-month follow-up. While results appear promising for tailored, multi-faceted approaches, abstinence differences between interventions and control groups overall remain inconsistent.

CONCLUSIONS

This review suggests that culturally tailored, technology-assisted smoking cessation interventions that strategically utilize pharmacotherapies may hold promise for U.S. Indigenous populations. However, the review emphasizes the need to test large-scale interventions that utilize more personalized strategies and community-based participatory approaches as well as the need for experimental trials that bio-verify abstinence.

Breaking the Habit: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Pregnancy-Related Smoking Cessation Randomized Controlled Trials

Background: Smoking during pregnancy is a significant issue because of its impact on maternal and fetal health. This study aimed to ascertain the effects of smoking cessation programs on the smoking abstinence rate and pregnancy outcomes. Methods: A meta-analysis of twenty-one RCTs was carried out in accordance with PRISMA standards. The meta-analysis comprised 8149 pregnant smokers. With RevMan (version 5.4), the pooled effect of RR for different smoking cessation interventions was determined. Using the GRADE approach, the certainty was evaluated. I2 statistics and sensitivity analysis were utilized to measure heterogeneity. Egger's test and funnel plot analysis were used to assess publication bias. Results: The pregnant women who received cognitive-behavioral counseling and financial incentives recognized a significant rise in their smoking abstinence rate (RR: 1.14, 95% CI: 1.02-1.28, p = 0.03 and RR: 2.37, 95% CI: 1.92-2.93, p < 0.001), but there was no significant difference observed among other behavioral approaches or pharmaceutical therapy. Fetuses born to women in the intervention group had significantly larger birth weights (MD = 94.73, 95% CI = (41.18-58.27), p < 0.001. Conclusions: Pregnant women respond well to cognitive-behavioral counseling and financial incentives for quitting smoking, which improve pregnancy outcomes like birth weight.

Commercial Tobacco Cessation Interventions for American Indian and Alaska Native Persons Living in the United States: A Narrative Systematic Review of Effectiveness Using a Health Equity Lens

OBJECTIVE

Identify commercial tobacco cessation interventions for American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) communities, focusing on strategies used to advance health equity, including strategies to address social determinants of health (SDOH), community engagement, and cultural tailoring.

DATA SOURCE

We searched Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Scopus, ProQuest Central, Academic Search Complete, JSTOR, and Indigenous/Tribal health-related journals and databases.

STUDY INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA

We included peer-reviewed studies on commercial tobacco cessation for AI/AN persons published January 1998-April 2023 that reported quit rates/attempts. We excluded studies that only used pharmaceutical interventions.

DATA EXTRACTION

Two reviewers independently assessed each study against our inclusion/exclusion criteria. A reviewer extracted data, and another checked for completeness.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Synthesis focused on reported intervention effectiveness and strategies used for addressing SDOH, community engagement, and cultural tailoring. We used a synthesis matrix which allowed for comparison across studies.

RESULTS

We screened 1116 articles and included 12 for synthesis. Of the 12, five engaged community health workers; four included SDOH elements; and six were reported effective. Of these six, five included early-stage community engagement and four were culturally tailored.

CONCLUSIONS

There are few commercial tobacco cessation interventions for AI/AN populations. Building capacity, including tribal capacity, to develop and test multi-level, culturally grounded cessation interventions that address relevant SDOH may advance commercial tobacco cessation efforts in these populations.

Community-Based Interventions to Address Disparities in Cardiometabolic Diseases Among Minoritized Racial and Ethnic Groups

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) are leading causes of death and disproportionally impact historically marginalized racial/ethnic groups in the United States. The American Heart Association developed the Life's Essential 8 (LE8) to promote optimal cardiovascular health (CVH) through eight health behaviors and health factors. The purpose of this review is to summarize contemporary community-engaged research (CER) studies incorporating the LE8 framework among racial/ethnic groups.

REVIEW OF FINDINGS

Limited studies focused on the interface of CER and LE8. Based on synthesis of articles in this review, the application of CER to individual/collective LE8 metrics may improve CVH and reduce CMDs at the population level. Effective strategies include integration of technology, group activities, cultural/faith-based practices, social support, and structural/environmental changes. CER studies addressing LE8 factors in racial/ethnic groups play an essential role in improving CVH. Future studies should focus on broader scalability and health policy interventions to advance health equity.

A mixed methods evaluation of Quit for new life, a smoking cessation initiative for women having an Aboriginal baby

BACKGROUND

Quit for new life (QFNL) is a smoking cessation initiative developed to support mothers of Aboriginal babies to quit smoking during pregnancy. The state-wide initiative provides support for pregnant women and their households including free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and follow up cessation advice. Services are also supported to implement systems-level changes and integrate QFNL into routine care. This study aimed to evaluate: (1) models of implementation of QFNL; (2) the uptake of QFNL; (3) the impact of QFNL on smoking behaviours; and (4) stakeholder perceptions of the initiative.

METHODS

A mixed methods study was conducted comprising semi-structured interviews and analysis of routinely collected data. Interviews were conducted with 6 clients and 35 stakeholders involved in program implementation. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis. Aboriginal Maternal and Infant Health Service Data Collection (AMDC) records for the period July 2012-June 2015 were investigated to examine how many eligible women attended a service implementing QFNL and how many women took up a QFNL support. Smoking cessation rates were compared in women attending a service offering QFNL with women attending the same service prior to the implementation of QFNL to determine program impact.

RESULTS

QFNL was implemented in 70 services located in 13 LHDs across New South Wales. Over 430 staff attended QFNL training, including 101 staff in Aboriginal-identified roles. In the period July 2012-June 2015 27% (n = 1549) of eligible women attended a service implementing QFNL and 21% (n = 320) of these were recorded as taking up a QFNL support. While stakeholders shared stories of success, no statistically significant impact of QFNL on smoking cessation rates was identified (N = 3502; Odds ratio (OR) = 1.28; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.96-1.70; p-value = 0.0905). QFNL was acceptable to both clients and stakeholders, increased awareness about smoking cessation, and gave staff resources to support clients.

CONCLUSION

QFNL was perceived as acceptable by stakeholders and clients and provided care providers with knowledge and tangible support to offer women who presented at antenatal care as smokers, however, no statistically significant impact on rates of smoking cessation were found using the measures available.

Protocol for iSISTAQUIT: Implementation phase of the supporting indigenous smokers to assist quitting project

INTRODUCTION

About 44% of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women smoke during pregnancy compared to 12% of their general population counterparts. Evidence-based quit smoking advice received from health care professionals (HCPs) can increase smoking cessation rates. However, HCPs lack culturally appropriate smoking cessation training, which is a major barrier to provision of smoking cessation care for this population.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

iSISTAQUIT is a multicentre, single arm study aiming to implement and evaluate the evidence-based, culturally competent iSISTAQUIT smoking cessation training among health practitioners who provide support and assistance to pregnant, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in Australia. This project will implement the iSISTAQUIT intervention in Aboriginal Medical Services and Mainstream Health Services. The proposed sample size is 10 of each of these services (total N = 20), however if the demand is higher, we will aim to accommodate up to 30 services for the training. Participating sites and their HCPs will have the option to choose one of the two iSISTAQUIT packages available: a) Evaluation- research package b) Training package (with or without continued professional development points). Training will be provided via an online eLearning platform that includes videos, text, interactive elements and a treatment manual. A social media campaign will be conducted from December 2021 to September 2022 to raise brand and issue awareness about smoking cessation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in pregnancy. This national campaign will consist of systematic advertising and promotion of iSISTAQUIT and video messages through various social media platforms.

ANALYSIS

We will use the RE-AIM framework (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation and Maintenance) to plan, evaluate and report the intervention impact of iSISTAQUIT. Effectiveness of social media campaign will be assessed via social media metrics, cross-sectional surveys, and interviews.

DISCUSSION

This innovative research, using a multi-component intervention, aims to practically apply and integrate a highly translatable smoking cessation intervention in real-world primary care settings in Aboriginal Medical Services and Mainstream services. The research benefits Aboriginal women, babies and their family and community members through improved support for smoking cessation during pregnancy. The intervention is based on accepted Australian and international smoking cessation guidelines, developed and delivered in a culturally appropriate approach for Aboriginal communities.