Replication of a Culturally Tailored Tobacco Cessation Intervention for Arab American Men in North Carolina: An Exploratory Pilot Study

Dana El Hajj (), Linda Haddad and Anastasiya Ferrell
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Dana El Hajj: Loewenberg College of Nursing, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
Linda Haddad: Loewenberg College of Nursing, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA
Anastasiya Ferrell: School of Nursing, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA

IJERPH, 2025, vol. 22, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: (1) Introduction: Arab American (ArA) men have higher smoking rates than the general population, driven by cultural norms. Culturally tailored interventions that incorporate ArA cultural, linguistic, and social contexts are essential for addressing tobacco use and promoting health equity. This study aimed to evaluate a culturally tailored smoking cessation intervention for ArA men living in North Carolina. (2) Methods: This pilot study employed a one-group pre- and post-test design to evaluate program effectiveness within financial and time constraints. The participants completed questionnaires and Carbon monoxide measurements and were provided with Nicotine Replacement therapy. (3) Results: The study found that participants experienced anxiety and stress when delaying their first morning cigarette, which hindered cessation. Although smoking was reduced, relapse was common, highlighting the need for personalized support, especially for those with higher nicotine dependence. While telephone Motivational Interviewing helped reduce anxiety, it was insufficient for complete cessation, underscoring the need for tailored approaches addressing both psychological and physical factors. (4) Conclusions: The study suggests that culturally tailored telephone counseling did not show promise as a smoking cessation strategy for Arab Americans in North Carolina due to low participation. The sample size is really too small to test the efficacy of the intervention itself. It seems to have been more successful in another state. Future efforts should address cultural factors, emerging nicotine products, and expanded research. The project is significant for addressing health disparities among Arab Americans by integrating culturally relevant smoking cessation strategies with evidence-based methods like Nicotine Replacement Therapy.

Keywords: smoking; motivational interview; Arab culture; Arab American; nicotine replacement therapy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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