A Community-Based Participatory Research on Smoking Cessation Intervention for Urban Communities

Smoking disproportionally affects minority and underserved populations but only a handful of interventions tailored to these populations have demonstrated effectiveness in real-life situations. We use community-based participatory research (CBPR) to test two interventions delivered by a community-based health care center. Methods. Participants randomly assigned to individual or group-based intervention for smoking cessation (N= 400). Both included cessation counseling and health education, a contingency behavioral program, Nicotine Replacement Therapy, and health care for other comorbidities. Smoking cessation was verified by expired carbon monoxide at the end of the program. Results. No differences were observed between the two treatment modalities (8.9% and 8.6%, respectively). Those with greater attendance had 1.4 times better odds of cessation per additional session. Retention and follow up proved to be challenging with this population.