Enhancing community motivation and participation in control of smoking

ABSTRACT

@#<p style="text-align justify;">The aim of this study was to develop strategies for enhancing community motivation and participation in smoking control in one municipality, in the North-eastern part of Thailand. The Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach was used whereby the researchers facilitate and empower a community. Community meetings were set up for exchange of experiences and for volunteers who could participate in a counseling training program. These volunteers were screened to promote group motivation, initiate a culturally relevant medium, and to create a network for community organization. Motivation was enhanced by volunteers among three partners 1) smokers - to become healthier through counseling about information of the harmful effects of smoking and benefits of quitting smoking; 2) families - encouraged household members to assess their health, expenditure, and outcomes if any of their own family members stopped smoking; and 3) communities - raised awareness toward smoking control among housewives, workers, seniors, and adolescent groups, who founded a sense of caring for one another as their cousins, increased the number of free-smoking zones in temples, schools, health centers, ex-smokers' houses and areas for community activities. Lessons were learned by the communities, health problems and high cost of cigarette were the greatest motivation for success, but suffering from smoking withdrawal symptoms attributed to unsuccessful quitting of tobacco. 10 out of the 19 villages continued those activities for 18 months. These villages enhanced community motivation and participation in smoking control; however, decreasing the number of new smokers remains of considerable concern.</p>