'Butt Busters' Program

Public

To offer an accessible, community controlled and culturally appropriate environment for smoking cessation intervention. This program's development involved significant community consultation, and provides a number of strategies, delivered by Aboriginal Health Workers (AHWs) using a whole-of-person approach to smoking cessation.

Organisation or Department

Aboriginal Medical Service Western Sydney (AMSWS)

State

New South Wales

Project Timeframe

2005-ongoing

Project Activities

Smoking cessation counelling, general health checks including vascular and social emotional health and wellbeing, Aboriginal Health Worker support and free NRT
Offered to patients over 16 years and over who wanted to quit smoking.
Delivered by AMSWS staff assisted by a smoking counsellor and chronic care nurse affiliated with Curtin University
Quit smoking pamphlets developed by service as part of series of pamphlets targeting vascular disease

Summary of Findings and Recommendations

The program has screened 120 clients to date, several of whom who have quit smoking and many who are making positive steps towards cessation. factors that affect an individual's ability to quit smoking. Furthermore, it is recommended that the challenges clients face when quitting are recognised and solutions are provided. Likewise, it is suggested that AHWs work with clients to recognise their preferences in regard to the strategies used to cease smoking, so as to help them cope with stress and promote self-efficacy. Clients should also feel that there is a constant, reliable person/s that they can talk honestly to who will not judge them, and instead offer support and compassion. Finally, it is important that small achievements are recognised, even when they do not seem significant.

Project Evaluation

Evaluation of intervention involving weekly cessation counselling and free NRT between August 2005-June 2006 found 9% quit rate at 6 months.

The project has successfully applied to do a more extensive evaluation of the program with a focus on overcoming social and emotional well-being barriers to smoking cessation for Aboriginal people

Project Resources and Publications

DiGiacomo, M., P.M. Davidson, et al (2007). "Stressful life events, resources, and access: key considerations in quitting smoking at an Aboriginal Medical Service." Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 31(2) 174-176