Smoking Rates among the General Population - Assignment Example

Critically analyze this article. Purpose - Outline the purpose of the study and/or research question. Describe the justification of the need for this study. Was it clear and compelling? The main aim of the study was to significantly reduce smoking rates among the general population for which the authors have exploited a time of increased receptiveness to smoking cessation influences such as s significant life event like the birth of a child 1. They have also randomized the trial participants into an intervention group, which would receive a video emphasizing the need for quitting and also nicotine patches and the control group that would only receive contact details for smoking cessation options. This randomization has helped them to further understand how a suitable intervention program can aid in increasing the quit rates among men as the percentage of quit rate was found to be more in the intervention group compared to the control. The study is completely justified as childbirth may represent the best opportunity to increase smoking cessation rates among men 2,3. Men might quit smoking on knowing that the wife is pregnant and will also abstain from the same for a few years after childbirth 4. The study purpose was clear. Reference: 1. Lowe JB, Balanda KP, Clare G. Evaluation of antenatal smoking cessation programs for pregnant women. Aust N Z J Public Health1998; 22:55–9. 2. Wakefield M, Reid Y, Roberts L, Mullins R, Gillies P. Smoking and smoking cessation among men whose partners are pregnant: a qualitative study. Soc Sci Med 1998;47:657–64. 3. Ziebland S, Mathews F. How important is the smoking status of the woman’s partner as a predictor of smoking cessation in pregnancy? Health Educ J 1998;57:70– 80. 4. Wakefield MA, Jones WR. Cognitive and social influences on smoking behaviour during pregnancy. Aust N Z J Obstet Gynaecol 1991; 31:235–9 Study Design The study was a multicomponent intervention study using a stratified, randomized control trial, with an intention to treat analysis. The study was conducted at 2 large Brisbane metropolitan hospitals in collaboration with the University of Queensland. Over a period of 35 months, men whose partners were pregnant and who met the eligibility criteria (should be male, be a partner of a woman less than 25 weeks pregnant, living with her and be a current cigarette smoker of at least 10 cigarettes per day within 3 days of the baseline interview) were enrolled into the program. These eligible participants were stratified based on the smoking status of the female partner and then randomized to control or intervention group. Participants were blinded to group allocation. Qualitative or Quantitative Research The study was a qualitative study. It was not a quantitative study as numerical result was not the endpoint. The main aim of the study was to determine how well the intervention program would help in cessation of smoking. Reference: 1. Ziebland. S, Fuller. A, Smoking cessation in Pregnancy: What’s a man to do? Health education journal 2001; 60 (3): 232-240. Methods used - Describe the methods used to answer the research question. Are the methods congruent with the philosophical underpinning and purpose? Subject enrollment and Eligibility criteria Woman who booked into the public antenatal clinics at two large Brisbane metropolitan hospitals were asked to provide information about their smoking status, their partners smoking status and contact details. From the information provided men who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were selected. Eligibility criteria: 1. should be male, 2. be a partner of a woman less than 25 weeks pregnant, 3. living with her 4. and be a current cigarette smoker of at least 10 cigarettes per day within 3 days of the baseline interview Stratification and Randomization: The eligible participants were stratified based on the smoking status of their female partners at a central location by a staff member not involved in the recruitment or interviews. They were then randomized to a control or intervention group. Participants were blinded to the group allocation. Questionnaires and Interviews: The participants were contacted by telephone and those who wished to participate completed the baseline questionnaire by telephone. A study General practitioner then telephoned each intervention group participant to verify smoking status and obtained a history, including an assessment of nicotine dependence based on the Fagerstrom Tolerance Questionnaire (FTQ) 1. The use of the nicotine patch and the recommended dosage for the seven day sample was provided. A prescription for a further 3 week supply of patches was also given. Material for the Intervention group: After the baseline interview men were sent the intervention material which included the following components and also a letter explaining that the study be taken to their own GP. 1. Video: an 18min video by a national football personality focusing on becoming a father and on the passive smoking health risks for the newborn. 2. Nicotine patches and information pack: 1 week supply of patches, booklets and cassette tape on how to use the patches and a booklet on quitting was made available following a telephone assessment by a general practitioner with explanation of the side effects and precautions. A week later a second package was sent containing a support material that included a newsletter with a reminder on how to use the multicomponent package, tips on quitting, motivational anecdotes and stickers. A third package was sent after 1 month with support material as above. Material for the Control group: The control group was only sent a brochure providing the contact details for the available smoking cessation options. Towards the end of their partner’s pregnancy, approximately after 6 months of the baseline interview, participants were contacted for a final interview to ascertain smoking status. A carbon monoxide test which was agreed upon at the time of consenting was conducted on those who reported quitting. Carbon monoxide levels were measured as carboxyhemoglobin in expired air using a cutoff of Read More