Zuzanne Martinez-Bristow, M.P.H. ^1*, Jeri J Sias, Pharm.D. ², Ulysses J Urquidi, M.D., M.S. ³, Chun Feng, M.A. ⁴

¹ Tobacco Free El Paso-CBHR
² University of Texas El Paso-Austin Pharmacy Cooperative Program
³ Texas Tech Health Science Center
⁴ University of Arizona's Healthcare Partnership

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: zuzanne_bristow{at}sbcglobal.net.

	Abstract

Partnerships were established with the University of Arizona's Healthcare Partnership to train promotores--Spanish-speaking community health workers--as tobacco cessation counselors. Tobacco Free El Paso certified promotores to help them identify tobacco users and offer tobacco cessation counseling services.

The project certified 89 participants, of whom 95% were promotores; 88% were Hispanic/Latino, 67% were females, and 62% indicated Spanish as their primary language. Participants who completed Técnicas Básicas, Treatment Specialist, and Déjate de ese Vicio certifications significantly increased self-confidence levels to deliver brief smoking cessation interventions (P<.05). Satisfaction scores (scale=1-5) were also relatively high for each certification (Técnicas Básicas, mean=4.8; Treatment Specialist, mean=4.7; Déjate de ese Vicio, mean=4.6). The results suggest that promotores understood the concepts and methodologies presented.

Key Words: Community Health, Health Education, Health Promotion, Access to Care, Hispanics/Latinos, Smoking Cessation