Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gbm5v Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T03:44:11.909Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Building Capacity for Global Tobacco Treatment: International Frontline Provider Perspectives

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 June 2018

Henrique P. Gomide
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
Kimber P. Richter*
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas University of Kansas Cancer Center, Kansas City, Kansas
Erica Cruvinel
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Leonardo Fernandes Martins
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
The International Relations Committee of ATTUD
Affiliation:
Association for the Treatment of Tobacco Dependence
*
Address for correspondence: Kimber P Richter, PhD, MPH, Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Kansas Medical Center Mailstop 1008, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, KS 66160. Email: [email protected]

Abstract

Introduction: Many countries are enacting tobacco treatment training, guidelines and policies in order to fulfil Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) treaty agreements. This study tapped the perspectives of international treatment providers to identify challenges and recommendations for improvement.

Methods: The cross-sectional survey included closed- and open-ended items. Distribution included professional listservs (ATTUD; Global Bridges; ENSH Global) and word-of-mouth. The survey collected data using an open-source platform (Enketo Smart Paper/Ona). We used R for quantitative analysis and Google Sheets to categorize open-ended responses.

Results: There were 155 respondents from 49 countries. Most (78.6%) provided direct services. Almost half (48.1%) reported receiving less than 6 hours of tobacco treatment training; respondents from low and lower-middle income countries (LMICs) received significantly less training (Fisher's p < 0.014). Likewise, among all respondents, 43% rated poor access to treatment; this rose to 100% among LMICs (Fisher's p < 0.001). To improve treatment and training, respondents suggested increasing government funding for pharmacotherapy and behavioural services; providing training in local languages and in the treatment of smokeless tobacco forms; trainee certification and access to online support for providers.

Conclusions: Globally, half of front-line treatment providers reported having poor access to training; this was true for all providers in LMICs and most in upper middle-income countries. Existing online trainings, available mainly in English, could be migrated to open-access formats to permit countries to tailor them to their local needs and languages. Countries in geographical proximity or historical linguistic/political alliances could forge cross-country mentoring relationships and mutual support for training.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s) 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. (2005). Tobacco use and cessation counseling. Global health professionals survey pilot study, 10 countries. The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), 54 (20), 505509.Google Scholar
Enketo. (2012). Enketo smart paper - next generation webforms. Enketo Smart Paper - Next Generation Webforms. Retrieved July 29, 2016, from https://enketo.org/.Google Scholar
Kruse, G. R., Rigotti, N. A., Raw, M., McNeill, A., Murray, R., Piné-Abata, H. et al. (2016). Tobacco dependence treatment training programs: An international survey. Nicotine & Tobacco Research, 18 (5), 10121018.Google Scholar
Miles, M. B., & Huberman, A. M. (1984). Qualitative data analysis: A sourcebook of new methods. Beverly Hills: Sage Publications.Google Scholar
Modi Research Group. (2016). Formhub. Retrieved October 2, 2017, from http://formhub.redcross.org/.Google Scholar
Piné-Abata, H., McNeill, A., Murray, R., Bitton, A., Rigotti, N., & Raw, M. (2013). A survey of tobacco dependence treatment services in 121 countries: Tobacco treatment services in 121 countries. Addiction, 108 (8), 14761484.Google Scholar
Raw, M., Regan, S., Rigotti, N.A., & McNeill, A. (2009a). A survey of tobacco dependence treatment services in 36 countries. Addiction, 104 (2), 279287.Google Scholar
Raw, M., Regan, S., Rigotti, N.A., & McNeill, A. (2009b). A survey of tobacco dependence treatment guidelines in 31 countries. Addiction, 104 (7), 12431250.Google Scholar
R Core Team. (2015). R: A language and environment for statistical computing. Vienna, Austria: R Foundation for Statistical Computing.Google Scholar
Rigotti, N. A., Bitton, A., Richards, A. E., Reyen, M., Wassum, K., & Raw, M. (2009). An international survey of training programs for treating tobacco dependence. Addiction, 104 (2), 288296.Google Scholar
World Bank. (2016). World bank country and lending groups – world bank data help desk. Retrieved September 5, 2016, from https://datahelpdesk.worldbank.org/knowledgebase/articles/906519.Google Scholar
World Health Organization [WHO]. (2010). Guidelines for implementation of article 14: Demand reduction measures concerning tobacco dependence and cessation. Retrieved August 11, 2016, from http://www.who.int/fctc/treaty_instruments/adopted/article_14/en/.Google Scholar
World Health Organization [WHO]. (2016). Parties to the WHO framework convention on tobacco control. Retrieved August 11, 2016, from http://www.who.int/fctc/signatories_parties/en/.Google Scholar