Project Title: Preventing Tobacco Use in Young Latino Workers in Texas Project

Abstract:

This 36-month project will develop and implement a program to reduce tobacco use among non-college-enrolled Latino workers aged 18 to 25 at high risk for tobacco use, using mass media, peer networking, and Web-based communications. Messages will be developed using theory-based objectives, diagnostic research, and pre-testing with samples of Latino young workers from the target audience (Aims 1-2). A program of thoroughly tested, culturally appropriate messages and age-appropriate tailored Web-based navigation will be delivered over two years to the defined audience segment in the East End District of Houston, Texas (Aim 3). The program will also use Web-based and peer communications to empower the community to advocate against tobacco marketing in the neighborhoods and smoke-free workplaces (Aim 4). Three experimental groups will test cumulative interaction effect, including exposure to 1) mass media messages along, 2) mass media plus peer networking, and 3) mass media and peer networking plus Web-based intervention. A no-intervention community with similar demographic characteristics in the Southwest District of Dallas, Texas will be selected as a control. Impact of the program on targeted mediators and tobacco use behaviors will be assessed among samples of young workers from these communities through population surveys and an embedded cohort study (Aims 5-6).

PI:

  • Amelie G. Ramirez, DrPH, Professor of Medicine, Director of the Cancer Center Office of Outreach and Health Disparities Research, and Deputy Director of the Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine

Co-PI:

  • Luis F. Velez, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Medicine in Cancer Education at the Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine

Co-Investigators:

  • Kipling Gallion, MA, Assistant Professor of Medicine in Cancer Education at the Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine
  • Patricia Chalela, MPH, Research Associate in Cancer Education at the Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine

Funding Institution:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Funding Period:

3 yrs.– 2004-2007

Location/Service Area:

At-risk Latino young workers, aged 18-25, living in the East End District of Houston, Texas. The East End District is characterized by predominately Latino neighborhoods and industrial worksites in a 16-square mile area between downtown Houston and the Port of Houston.

Collaborators/Co-sponsors:

  • Loriana Espinel, Community Outreach Coordinator
  • Association for the Advancement of Mexican Americans
  • Mexican Consulate
  • Local Hispanic Union
  • Ripley House
  • Houston Public Library
  • University of Texas, Austin - School of Communication's Office for Survey Research

Goals:

Preventing Tobacco Use in Young Latino Workers in Texas is a 3-year project that will develop and implement a mass media and peer networking intervention to reduce tobacco consumption among at-risk Latino young workers, aged 18 -25, living in the East End District of Houston, Texas.

Results:

None to report.

Potential Impact:

The subjects will be exposed to information on positive health knowledge, attitudes and behaviors, specifically tobacco prevention and control. They may discuss these issues with family friends and co-workers, increasing the number of individuals exposed to this information. Even cohort participants have been shown to benefit from periodic surveys since it has by itself an intervention effect.

Publications:

None to report.