DescriptionIntroduction: The health effects of smoking include multiple forms of cancer, heart and lung disease, macular degeneration, diabetes, and impaired immune function. Among the homeless the prevalence of smoking has been estimated to be as high as 70 percent. An educational program for adult homeless smokers educated them on the dangers of smoking, the benefits of quitting, and the resources available to help them quit. In implementing this program, three areas that can lead to successful quitting were explored; perception of cessation programs, motivation to quit, and counseling and pharmacological approaches to smoking cessation.
Methods: The project used a one group, pre-and post-survey design. Participants were homeless adult cigarette smokers, 21 and older, seeking services at a local community center. The survey collected demographic data, along with smoking habits, any prior quit attempts, and their desire to quit. Smoking habits and desire to quit were re-assessed two weeks after the presentation to evaluate whether there had been any change.
Results: The percentage of participants that wanted to quit smoking was not changed from the pre-test and post-test. The results indicated that after the educational program, participants reported being more motivated to quit smoking. Many of the participants moved from the precontemplation stage of the transtheoretical model of change to the Contemplation stage.
Conclusions: On average the United States spends about $300 billion/year on medical care related to smoking. Primary care providers are encouraged to assess their patients smoking status at every visit and counsel them on quitting, this should also extend to the homeless population.
Implications: The results of this DNP project can be used to design programs at local community centers that serve the underprivileged. Although this project was focused on smoking cessation, its design and success can be implemented in other areas. Local community organizations can implement educational programs that focus on diabetes, high blood pressure, and preventative medicine.