Mixed methods evaluation of vaping and tobacco product use prevention interventions among youth in the Florida 4-H program

Dima S Bteddini; Jennifer H LeLaurin; Xiaofei Chi; Jaclyn M Hall; Ryan P Theis; Matthew J Gurka; Ji-Hyun Lee; Erin M Mobley; George E Khalil; Caroline J Polansky; Allie M Kellner; Alexandra M Fahnlander; Steven H Kelder; Lynn E Fiellin; Michael S Gutter; Elizabeth A Shenkman; Ramzi G Salloum

doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107637

Mixed methods evaluation of vaping and tobacco product use prevention interventions among youth in the Florida 4-H program

Addict Behav. 2023 Jun:141:107637. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107637. Epub 2023 Feb 3.

Authors

Dima S Bteddini¹, Jennifer H LeLaurin¹, Xiaofei Chi¹, Jaclyn M Hall¹, Ryan P Theis¹, Matthew J Gurka¹, Ji-Hyun Lee², Erin M Mobley³, George E Khalil¹, Caroline J Polansky¹, Allie M Kellner¹, Alexandra M Fahnlander¹, Steven H Kelder⁴, Lynn E Fiellin⁵, Michael S Gutter⁶, Elizabeth A Shenkman¹, Ramzi G Salloum⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
² Department of Biostatistics, College of Public Health and Health Professions and College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA; Division of Quantitative Sciences, University of Florida Health Cancer Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
³ Department of Surgery, University of Florida College of Medicine, Jacksonville, FL 32209, USA.
⁴ Michael & Susan Dell Center for Healthy Living, University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, Austin, TX 78701, USA.
⁵ play2PREVENT Lab at Yale, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
⁶ Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.
⁷ Department of Health Outcomes and Biomedical Informatics, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. Electronic address: rsalloum@ufl.edu.

PMID: 36753933
DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107637

Abstract

Introduction: Novel prevention programs are developed to address the increase in e-cigarette use (vaping) among children. However, it remains paramount to test their feasibility in rural settings. This pilot study implemented and evaluated the feasibility and outcomes of two innovative programs, CATCH My Breath and smokeSCREEN, among youth in rural settings in Florida.

Methods: We conducted four focus groups with youth aged 11-17 recruited from 4-H rural clubs in Florida. In a subsequent randomized trial, we recruited 82 youth participants and assigned them to one of three arms: CATCH My Breath, smokeSCREEN, or control. CATCH My Breath and smokeSCREEN participants attended online group intervention sessions while the control group received educational material. Pre- and post-surveys were administered to all participants to assess knowledge, susceptibility, perceived positive outcomes and risk perceptions related to tobacco and e-cigarette use. Other feasibility parameters were also assessed.

Results: Focus group discussions provided insights about feasibility and informed the implementation of both interventions in terms of delivery format, scheduling of sessions and incentives. After the intervention, CATCH My Breath participants significantly improved their general tobacco-related knowledge (post-pre = 16.21-12.92 = 3.3, p <.01) and risk perceptions towards other flavored tobacco products (post-pre = 19.29-17.71 = 1.6, p <.05). smokeSCREEN participants significantly improved their general tobacco knowledge (post-pre = 18.77-13.77 = 5.0, p <.01), knowledge about e-cigarettes (post-pre = 9.08-6.31 = 2.8, p <.01) and risk perception towards e-cigarettes (post-pre = 24.69-21.92 = 2.8, p <.05).

Conclusions: This study demonstrated feasibility of delivering the interventions via participant engagement, participants' willingness to be randomized, assessment of outcome measures, and exploration of different recruitment methods. Despite the potential positive influence of CATCH My Breath and smokeSCREEN on youth participants, further evaluation with larger samples is needed.

Keywords: Adolescent; Prevention; Rural settings; Tobacco; Vaping; e-cigarettes.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Child
Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems*
Florida
Humans
Pilot Projects
Tobacco Products*
Tobacco Use Disorder*
Vaping* / prevention & control