Smokers program and its evaluation project (Paakantji Kiira-Muuku)

• Reach:

  NSW

• Focus area:

  Indigenous

• Status:

  Completed

• Evaluated:

  Yes

Overview

The Smokers program commenced in 2005, and is run by Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation. The Office for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health (OATSIH) funds the program, with funds primarily going towards the provision of subsidised nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) for clients and the purchase of carbon monoxide monitors (smokerlyzers) for case managers to use as a clinical tool.

The Smokers program is a 12-week program that consists of weekly sessions with a dedicated case manager. Treatment can include nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) or prescribed medications (varenicline or buproprion). The program was implemented at seven health services across far western NSW by local health staff, and is ongoing. All community members are eligible to participate but there is a particular focus on recruiting Aboriginal people into the program. The project aims are:

• a decrease in smoking prevalence amongst Aboriginal people living in far western NSW
• an increase in the number of quit attempts made by Aboriginal people living in far western NSW
• an increase in staff confidence and willingness to routinely deliver brief interventions related to smoking
• an increase in staff and community knowledge about the harmful effects of smoking and appropriate use of the pharmocotherapies for treatment.

Contacts

Ashleigh Buckland
Project Officer - Smokers Program Evaluation
Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation
PO Box 339
Broken Hill NSW 2880
Ph: (03) 5027 4066
Email: ABuckland@gwahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Evaluated publications

Buckland A, Jones T, Tall J (2011)

Paakantji Kiira-Muuku – evaluation of a smoking cessation intervention in remote NSW.

Paper presented at the CRIAH Aboriginal Health Research 2011 Conference. 5-6 May 2011, Sydney

• Links
• View conference presentation: Paakantji Kiira-Muuku – evaluation of a smoking cessation intervention in remote NSW (PDF - 7.3 MB)
• View information: Paakantji Kiira-Muuku – evaluation of a smoking cessation intervention in remote NSW
• View information: Smokers Program [CEITC]
• View website: CRIAH Aboriginal Health Research 2011 Conference

Links

• View information: Smokers program
• View website: Centre for Excellence in Indigenous Tobacco Control
• View website: Maari Ma Health Aboriginal Corporation