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. 2009 Sep;79(9):391-9.
doi: 10.1111/j.1746-1561.2009.00426.x.

What works to prevent adolescent smoking? A systematic review of the National Cancer Institute's Research-Tested Intervention Programs

Elyse J Sherman  1 , Brian A Primack
Affiliations

What works to prevent adolescent smoking? A systematic review of the National Cancer Institute's Research-Tested Intervention Programs

Elyse J Sherman et al. J Sch Health. 2009 Sep.

Abstract

Background: Cigarette use remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Although school is an ideal setting for antismoking interventions, school-based programs have not been successful in the long term. The purpose of this study was to explore characteristics of programs deemed to be successful short-term Research-Tested Intervention Programs (RTIPs) by the National Cancer Institute (NCI).

Methods: To identify adolescent smoking prevention programs, 2 independently working researchers applied specified selection criteria to all programs in the NCI's RTIP database. Selected programs were abstracted using a structured form for general information, participants, interventions, outcomes, and quality. Extracted data were then assessed for common themes and contrasts in each category.

Results: As of June 2008, 18 studies met the NCI's standards for RTIPs preventing smoking among adolescents. After selection criteria were applied, only 5 programs remained. Each independently working researcher arrived at the same pool of programs. In chronological order according to date of publication of outcomes evaluation, the 5 programs ultimately included were Project Towards No Tobacco Use, Pathways to Health, Native FACETS, Kentucky Adolescent Tobacco Prevention Project, and Sembrando Salud. The majority of these programs were targeted toward a particular sociodemographic group (eg, American Indians, Hispanic migrant communities).

Conclusions: New school-based programs are needed to address current issues in tobacco control. To improve chances of success, these programs may wish to target certain specific high-risk demographic groups, use professional health educators and/or trained community members, and build in methods of updating material.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Research-Tested Intervention Program Retention After Application of Selection Criteria
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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