Who are health influencers? Characterizing a sample of tobacco cessation interveners

Abstract

Objectives: To describe characteristics of health influencers (HIs) prior to training in brief tobacco cessation interventions (BI).

Methods: HIs (n=910) in Arizona were recruited for a randomized controlled trial comparing training modalities.

Results: Typically middle-aged (M=43, SD=14), non-Hispanic white (68%), female (77%), non-tobacco users (93%), most identified personal (89%) rather than job-related (3%) motivators for becoming cessation interveners. Confidence about intervention ability was high (93%); knowledge scores, however, were low (M=55%, SD=13%).

Conclusions: HIs exhibiting high motivation to intervene but lacking knowledge about BI strategies may be an untapped resource for tobacco cessation and a variety of other health promotion interventions.