Community Perceptions on Tobacco Use and Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Rural Georgia
Faculty Mentor(s) Name(s)
Damian Francis, Ivey Whitworth
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure negatively impact the health of individuals and disproportionately so in African Americans and rural communities. We aimed to examine stakeholder perception on tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. METHODS: A listening session following CDC guidelines was used to document residents’ views on tobacco use, secondhand smoke and policy aimed at reducing exposure in public places. Residents 18 years and older were invited to participate through flyers, emails, and social media. Additional key informant interviews by phone call/zoom. The discussion guide collected data on 1) attitudes of participants toward tobacco use and secondhand smoke, 2) barriers, and enablers to smokefree policy implementation, and 3) strategies to implement smokefree policy. Recorded dialogue along with meeting notes were transcribed and assessed using a thematic analysis. Codes and themes were used to create word maps to displays findings. RESULTS: We conducted 3 key informant interviews, and 15 stakeholders attended the listening session ranging from government, non-profit, faith-based organization, community members, and the department of public health. Three themes emerged around community perceptions of tobacco use, with an overall negative perception. Stakeholders expressed concern with health consequences and control measures being implemented. When discussing perceptions of barriers and enablers to smokefree policy implementation, themes identified challenges in implementation related to the imbalance of marketing power and equitable enforcement of existing policies. Stakeholders were motivated toward finding strategies to implement smokefree policies. Emerging themes around policy implementation were “improvement in the delivery of health information related to tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure” and “building community trust”. CONCLUSION: Stakeholders in this rural community perceived tobacco use and secondhand smoke as a public health hazard. The balance of marketing power, equity, improving message delivery and building community trust represents opportunities for intervention by local government and public health bodies.
Start Date
27-3-2024 3:10 PM
End Date
27-3-2024 3:18 PM
Location
Atkinson 107
Community Perceptions on Tobacco Use and Secondhand Smoke Exposure in Rural Georgia
Atkinson 107
INTRODUCTION: Tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure negatively impact the health of individuals and disproportionately so in African Americans and rural communities. We aimed to examine stakeholder perception on tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure. METHODS: A listening session following CDC guidelines was used to document residents’ views on tobacco use, secondhand smoke and policy aimed at reducing exposure in public places. Residents 18 years and older were invited to participate through flyers, emails, and social media. Additional key informant interviews by phone call/zoom. The discussion guide collected data on 1) attitudes of participants toward tobacco use and secondhand smoke, 2) barriers, and enablers to smokefree policy implementation, and 3) strategies to implement smokefree policy. Recorded dialogue along with meeting notes were transcribed and assessed using a thematic analysis. Codes and themes were used to create word maps to displays findings. RESULTS: We conducted 3 key informant interviews, and 15 stakeholders attended the listening session ranging from government, non-profit, faith-based organization, community members, and the department of public health. Three themes emerged around community perceptions of tobacco use, with an overall negative perception. Stakeholders expressed concern with health consequences and control measures being implemented. When discussing perceptions of barriers and enablers to smokefree policy implementation, themes identified challenges in implementation related to the imbalance of marketing power and equitable enforcement of existing policies. Stakeholders were motivated toward finding strategies to implement smokefree policies. Emerging themes around policy implementation were “improvement in the delivery of health information related to tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure” and “building community trust”. CONCLUSION: Stakeholders in this rural community perceived tobacco use and secondhand smoke as a public health hazard. The balance of marketing power, equity, improving message delivery and building community trust represents opportunities for intervention by local government and public health bodies.