Date of Award

4-1-2001

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Health, Physical Education and Recreation

First Advisor

Dr. Manoj Sharma

Abstract

Although cigarette smoking is the leading cause of disease and death for all racial groups in the United States, African Americans bear the greatest burden for health risks. Lung cancer is the leading incidence for all cancer deaths for this subgroup. Many of the past formal smoking cessation interventions had been initiated in the white middle class population. This study aimed to evaluate a pilot project developed around a modified version of the American Cancer Society’s Fresh Start Program to train the trainers in facilitating smoking cessation programs for a low-income predominately African American community in Omaha, NE. A group of 26 volunteers were recruited to participate in the modified Fresh Start “Train the Trainers” program for smoking cessation with 14 completing the training session. The four-hour training session incorporated the constructs of the Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) on self-efficacy and outcome expectations, and the perceived knowledge relating to the processes of behavioral change. The instrument utilized was a 29-item questionnaire designed to measure the study variables on the participants’ perceived knowledge, outcome expectations, and their self-efficacy on conducting smoking cessation classes. The behavior change of the trainees to organize and conduct smoking cessation programs was also measured. Results highlighted statistically significant changes in knowledge, outcome expectations, and self-efficacy (p < 0.05) between pre-test and post-test indicating a successful training program. No significance was noted for a change in behavior. Implementation and environmental issues need to be encouraged in future programs in order to effect the behavioral change and continue the success of the program.

Comments

A Thesis Presented to the School of Health Education, Physical Education, and Recreation and the Faculty of the Graduate College University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Science University of Nebraska at Omaha. Copyright Therese Sullivan April, 2001

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