Marieke Hiemstra1, Linda Ringlever2, Roy Otten2, Onno C P van Schayck3, Christine Jackson4, Rutger C M E Engels2. 1. Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: m.hiemstra@bsi.ru.nl. 2. Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, The Netherlands. 3. Department of General Practice, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200 MD Maastricht, The Netherlands. 4. Public Health and Environment Division, RTI International, P.O. Box 12194, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2194, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The aims of the study were to evaluate the long-term effects of a home-based smoking prevention program 'Smoke-free Kids' during preadolescence on smoking initiation during adolescence and to test the potential moderating role of parental smoking, socioeconomic status, and asthma. METHOD:In 2008, 1478 9-11year old children and their mothers were recruited from 418 elementary schools in the Netherlands. An independent statistician randomly allocated schools to one of the two conditions using a 1:1 ratio (single blind): 728 children in the intervention and 750 in the control condition. The intervention condition received five activity modules, including a communication sheet for mothers, by mail at four-week intervals and one booster module one year after baseline. The control condition received a fact-based intervention only. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed on 1398 non-smoking children at baseline. RESULTS: In the intervention 10.8% of the children started smoking compared to 12% in the control condition. This difference was non-significant (odds ratio=0.90, 95% confidence interval=0.63-1.27). No moderating effects were found. CONCLUSION: No effects on smoking initiation after 36months were found. Perhaps, the program was implemented with children that were too young. Programs closer to the age of smoking onset should be tested.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: The aims of the study were to evaluate the long-term effects of a home-based smoking prevention program 'Smoke-free Kids' during preadolescence on smoking initiation during adolescence and to test the potential moderating role of parental smoking, socioeconomic status, and asthma. METHOD: In 2008, 1478 9-11year old children and their mothers were recruited from 418 elementary schools in the Netherlands. An independent statistician randomly allocated schools to one of the two conditions using a 1:1 ratio (single blind): 728 children in the intervention and 750 in the control condition. The intervention condition received five activity modules, including a communication sheet for mothers, by mail at four-week intervals and one booster module one year after baseline. The control condition received a fact-based intervention only. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed on 1398 non-smoking children at baseline. RESULTS: In the intervention 10.8% of the children started smoking compared to 12% in the control condition. This difference was non-significant (odds ratio=0.90, 95% confidence interval=0.63-1.27). No moderating effects were found. CONCLUSION: No effects on smoking initiation after 36months were found. Perhaps, the program was implemented with children that were too young. Programs closer to the age of smoking onset should be tested.
Authors: Sanne de Josselin de Jong; Math Candel; Dewi Segaar; Henricus-Paul Cremers; Hein de Vries Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2014-03-21 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Henricus-Paul Cremers; Liesbeth Mercken; Math Candel; Hein de Vries; Anke Oenema Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2015-03-09 Impact factor: 5.428