Quitting Behaviors Among Dual Cigarette and E-Cigarette Users and Cigarette Smokers Enrolled in the Tobacco User Adult Cohort.

PURPOSE: We examined quitting behaviors among a cohort of dual users (cigarettes and electronic cigarettes [e-cigarettes]) and exclusive cigarette smokers for: (1) cigarette smoking reduction, (2) quit attempts, (3) abstinence from cigarettes, and (4) abstinence from all tobacco products. METHODS: Participants enrolled in the Tobacco User Adult Cohort and categorized as "daily" user of cigarettes and "daily" or "some days per week" use of e-cigarettes (ie, dual users; n = 88) or "daily" user of cigarettes only (ie, cigarette smokers; n = 617) served as the analytic sample. Participants were interviewed face to face every 6 months, through 18 months. Data on self-reported current product(s) used, cessation interest, quit attempts and abstinence from cigarettes, and all tobacco products were collected. RESULTS: No difference in reduction of cigarette consumption over time was noted between groups. Rates of reporting an attempt to quit all tobacco products (≥ 24 hours of not using any tobacco in an attempt to quit) also did not differ by group. Compared to cigarette smokers, dual users were more likely to report abstinence from cigarettes at 6 months (OR = 2.54, p = .045) but not at 12 or 18 months. There was no significant difference in abstinence from all tobacco products by group at 6, 12, or 18 months. CONCLUSIONS: Although dual use of e-cigarettes has been cited as a potential cessation tool for cigarette smokers, our findings indicated that this association was only observed in the short term. We also found no evidence of any association between dual use and eventual abstinence from all tobacco products. IMPLICATIONS: Our study observed that, in the natural environment, dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes were more likely than cigarette smokers to quit cigarettes in the short term but no more likely to quit using cigarettes and all tobacco products over time.

The impact of an urban home-based intervention program on asthma outcomes in children.

OBJECTIVES: This program evaluation examines the outcomes of a multicomponent urban home-based asthma program implemented through a city health department in a large Midwestern city. The purpose of the program was to improve asthma outcomes by controlling indoor asthma triggers in the home environment. DESIGN AND SAMPLE: This was a pre-post evaluation study. Participants received home-based education from a public health nurse or a health educator, cleaning and other supplies, and physical home interventions such as mold abatement and pest control. Asthma outcomes, caregiver quality of life, trigger-related activities, and asthma management activities at baseline and 6 months following the intervention were evaluated using survey data. A total of 115 participants for whom baseline and follow-up data were available were included in this analysis. MEASURES: This study used parent self-reported quantitative and qualitative data which were collected through baseline and follow-up surveys administered by program staff. RESULTS: Significant reduction in asthma symptom days, nighttime awakenings, days with activity limitation, and albuterol use were observed. Emergency department visits, missed school days, and caregiver missed work days also were significantly reduced, and caregiver quality of life improved. CONCLUSIONS: This multifaceted home-based intervention decreased asthma triggers and improved asthma outcomes in children, and improved the quality of life of their caregivers.

Impact of an urban healthy homes intervention.

In the study described in this article, the authors evaluated the impact of an urban Healthy Homes intervention that included educational home visits. Their one-group, pre-post design used a structured interview at baseline and postintervention. The sample (N = 84) was comprised of low-income children younger than 18 years of age with an asthma diagnosis or with an asthmatic mother. Children were primarily male (62%), < or =10 years old (74%), and lived in a single family home (69%) with moisture (61%). Interventions included a personalized action plan, education, demonstrations, and home remediation as needed. Significant post-intervention decreases occurred in reported asthma symptoms for the child, school days missed, caregiver work days missed, and emergency department/urgent care center visits. Caregiver self-efficacy and quality of life increased significantly. The comprehensive home visitation intervention program effectively impacted asthma symptoms, lost school and work days, emergency use of the health care system, and improved caregiver quality of life and self-efficacy.