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Can a Minimal Intervention Reduce Secondhand Smoke Exposure Among Children with Asthma from Low Income Minority Families? Results of a Randomized Trial

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Abstract

We report on the results of a low-intensity behavioral intervention to reduce second hand smoke (SHS) exposure of children with asthma from low income minority households in Los Angeles, California. In this study, 242 child/adult dyads were randomized to a behavioral intervention (video, workbook, minimal counseling) or control condition (brochure). Main outcome measures included child’s urine cotinine and parental reports of child’s hours of SHS exposure and number of household cigarettes smoked. Implementation of household bans was also considered. No differences in outcomes were detected between intervention and control groups at follow-up. Limitations included high attrition and low rates of collection of objective measures (few children with urine cotinine samples). There continues to be a need for effective culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies that support reduction of household SHS exposure among children with asthma in low income, minority households.

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Acknowledgments

Support for this work was provided by National Institutes of Health grants HL53957 from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, Division of Lung Diseases, and CA16042 from the National Cancer Institute. Approval was obtained from the UCLA Office for Protection of Research Subjects, UCLA IRB #G94-09-1000-34. We wish to thank the adults and children who participated in the research, and the administrative and clinical staffs at our recruitment sites. We also express appreciation to Ms. Connie Sosnoff, Mr. Alberto Febo, Mr. Charles Perrino, Tuyen Hoang, Ph.D., Darlene Goldstein, Ph.D., Ms. Guadelupe Escobar, Ms. Claudia Huezo, Ms. Yanscy Flores, Ms. Melissa Aguayo, and Ms. Laura Hoyos for assistance in data collection and analysis; K. Michael Cummings, Ph.D., Mary Ann Lewis, R.N., Dr.P.H., F.A.A.N., Maria Hayes-Bautista, R.N., M.P.H., Lesa Walden, M.D. (VitalSigns, Inc. Santa Monica, CA), and Antronette K.Yancey, M.D., M.P.H. for assistance in developing the intervention materials and survey instruments.

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Streja, L., Crespi, C.M., Bastani, R. et al. Can a Minimal Intervention Reduce Secondhand Smoke Exposure Among Children with Asthma from Low Income Minority Families? Results of a Randomized Trial. J Immigrant Minority Health 16, 256–264 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-012-9713-4

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