Second Hand Smoke: Latino asthmatic children
Abstracts
Initial Award Abstract |
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Asthmatic children are susceptible to second hand smoke (SHS) exposure. SHS exposure has been shown to increase the number of episodes and severity of asthma attacks in children. Asthma is one of the most common chronic illnesses among Latino children. Latinos/Hispanics are the fastest growing racial/ethnic minority group in the US, accounting for 12.0% of the total US population. SHS exposure in children takes place mainly in homes. Public tobacco control campaigns in California might have influenced some home smoking bans; however, little is known about the impact of such campaigns among the Latino populations. Thus, it is evident that the Latino community represents an important target population for interventions in the area of SHS exposure.
The purpose of this proposal is to serve as a postdoctoral training program designed to prepare me, Dr. Nada Kassem, a board-certified registered nurse with a Dr.P.H. in health education and epidemiology, to develop into an established independent researcher and faculty member via (1) a research project, (2) coursework and (3) mentorship. Under the supervision of my mentor and consultants, I will analyze existing data to identify the environmental and social predicting factors of SHS exposure in the home as well as influencing factors of residential restrictions on tobacco use (i.e. tobacco policies). Statistical analyses will be conduced for parent reported and urine measures of SHS exposure and reported home policies. I will examine these measures based on existing data from Ninos Sanos, a study of Latino families with an asthmatic child exposed to SHS. Analyses will examine influencing factors associated with SHS exposure as well as the influencing factors of change, or maintenance, of SHS exposure over 13 months period. Analyses also will inform promotion of residential policies restricting tobacco use and SHS in private homes. The three components of the program strengthened by my participation in existing studies taking place in the Center for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Health, will build on my educational background and research skills, by refining my ability to propose and conduct fundable community-based studies. This training also will include the preparation of at least one investigator initiated application during this postdoctoral fellowship.
Aims of the program.
1. To conduct research in the area of second hand smoke (SHS) exposure under the supervision of Dr. Hovell and a team of tobacco investigators.
2. To complete coursework necessary to advance my existing training in research methods and behavioral interventions, including proposal writing experience.
3. To obtain observational and collaborative field experience with on-going intervention and observational studies lead by Drs. Hovell, Martinez-Donate and Matt.
This proposal is responsive to TRDRP research priorities for funding studies that address important aspects of second hand smoke exposure among asthmatic children of a major minority group in the United States. |
