The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: We developed a program aimed at reducing active smoking rates among pregnant women as well as passive smoking in their homes. In order to integrate smoking intervention into the clinical agenda of nurses providing prenatal care we trained them in techniques of changing health behaviors and decision –making. Nurses were also provided with a clinical behavioral protocol(Prochaska) for intervention among smokers and their spouses that emphasized clinical skills and clients' needs rather than transfer of knowledge. Supervision focusing on the nurses' interactions with clients was provided. The supervisors themselves were empowered by counseling.

Methods: Evaluation took place 3 months following program implementation. Self-reported questionnaires were administered to 24 nurses (intervention and control) in six family health centers in the Haifa District who participated in the pilot project. The questionnaire tapped respondents' self- efficacy in educating and intervening among their clients and their satisfaction with the clinical-behavioral protocol. Clients (n=91) from intervention and control clinics were phone interviewed regarding their smoking behavior.

Results: Few differences were observed between intervention and control nurses and likewise among the clients. Satisfaction with the behavioral protocol was modest. We expect that at time 2 the intervention nurses will feel significantly more efficacious in educating and persuading clients than control nurses. Their satisfaction with a revised protocol is also hypothesized to increase. Discussion: Results are discussed in light of the time needed to disseminate a program. A larger sample size of clients is warranted so to include more smokers in the sample.