REFRESH

Reducing families' exposure to second?hand smoke in the home

The University of Aberdeen, in collaboration with ASH Scotland and the University of Edinburgh, have received funding from the Big Lottery Fund research grants programme to manage a new project, beginning in February 2010. 

   

This project will comprise a range of research with the aim of developing tools for community health workers to help them reduce children's exposure to second-hand smoke in their homes.

An estimated 40% of children are exposed to second-hand smoke in their homes.  This has been linked to child ill-health including respiratory problems, middle ear disease, asthma and cot death. However existing research shows that many parents are unaware of these issues, and that health professionals may not be best equipped to support families in changing their smoking habits.

The project will involve three linked phases including desk research to map existing work; qualitative research to understand the issues faced by parents, practitioners and policy makers; and field work to develop, pilot, and evaluate a new intervention in the home. The University of Aberdeen will lead the field work and is looking to recruit participants for the autumn of 2010.  Participation will involve several brief meetings with a researcher from the University over the course of one month.  Please

  

see the Information Sheet for more details.

We estimate that many individuals will benefit, including pre-teen Scottish children (0-12 years old) who live with a parent who smokes, community health workers and other organisations working in health promotion.

The research findings will be disseminated through a wide range of different methods to suit the target audience. This will include: academic papers, short briefings on research findings, detailed reports, 'how to' guides, newsletter and email updates, project events and presentations to existing conferences, press work, and individual ambassadorial activity.

REFRESH is a collaborative project between the University of Aberdeen, ASH Scotland and the University of Edinburgh.  This project is sponsored by the Big Lottery Fund and is expected to be completed in 2013.

For more information

Research Fellow: Inga Wilson
01224 437159, e-mail Inga.wilson@abdn.ac.uk

Please click here to download the Participant Information Sheet.