Rates of enrollment in smoking cessation services following fax referrals from a children's hospital.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the rates of enrollment in tobacco dependence treatment among smoking adults who accepted a fax referral from health care providers at a children's hospital, and to examine smoker characteristics associated with enrollment.
METHODS: Secondary analysis of the state-sponsored fax referral and treatment program data on all referrals from Arkansas Children's Hospital in 2005 to 2007 was conducted. Enrollment was defined as attendance at 1 or more counseling sessions within 1 year of referral. Logistic regression analyses were used to identify demographic and tobacco-related characteristics associated with enrollment versus nonenrollment in a treatment program among those contacted by the program.
RESULTS: Of the 749 faxed referrals to the program, 157 (21.0%) enrolled in a treatment program and received 1 or more treatment sessions; 505 were contacted by the program, and of these, 147 (29%) enrolled. Women were more likely to enroll than men (odds ratio [OR] 1.81; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.09-3.01). Whites were twice as likely to enroll than African Americans (OR 2.35; 95% CI, 1.28-4.33). Older age (OR 1.04; 95% CI, 1.01-1.06) and higher self-efficacy scores (OR 1.13; 95% CI, 1.02-1.26) increased the likelihood of enrollment.
CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 1 in 5 smokers who accepted a fax referral enrolled in and received intensive treatment services for tobacco dependence. Thus, innovative approaches are needed to increase enrollment among younger, African American, and male smokers. Copyright 2010 Academic Pediatric Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.