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. 2013 Oct 28;10(11):5507-22.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph10115507.

A systematic review of peer-support programs for smoking cessation in disadvantaged groups

Pauline Ford  1 , Anton Clifford, Kim Gussy, Coral Gartner
Affiliations

A systematic review of peer-support programs for smoking cessation in disadvantaged groups

Pauline Ford et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

The burden of smoking is borne most by those who are socially disadvantaged and the social gradient in smoking contributes substantially to the health gap between the rich and poor. A number of factors contribute to higher tobacco use among socially disadvantaged populations including social (e.g., low social support for quitting), psychological (e.g., low self-efficacy) and physical factors (e.g., greater nicotine dependence). Current evidence for the effectiveness of peer or partner support interventions in enhancing the success of quit attempts in the general population is equivocal, largely due to study design and lack of a theoretical framework in this research. We conducted a systematic review of peer support interventions for smoking cessation in disadvantaged groups. The eight studies which met the inclusion criteria showed that interventions that improve social support for smoking cessation may be of greater importance to disadvantaged groups who experience fewer opportunities to access such support informally. Peer-support programs are emerging as highly effective and empowering ways for people to manage health issues in a socially supportive context. We discuss the potential for peer-support programs to address the high prevalence of smoking in vulnerable populations and also to build capacity in their communities.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow diagram of selection of studies for the systematic review (adapted from [27]).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Funnel Plot.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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