The Study Protocol of Women's Education to Create Smoke-free Home on the Basis of Family Ties in Isfahan, Iran

BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoke is the leading cause of preventable death world-wide. Unfortunately, the risk is not limited to smokers. It is dangerous for non-smokers particularly women, kids and elderly. Despite the remarkable reduction of tobacco exposure in public places, it is still continuing at homes as the most common places. Interventions to create a smoke-free home are needed, but little is known about them. The aim of this study is to explain the field randomized controlled trial that is designed to examine the role of non-smoker women to create a smoke-free home through establishing complete agreement on ban smoking at home. METHODS: In this field randomized controlled trial, the effectiveness of women's education will be evaluated in primary health-care centers. A total of 136 non-smoker women who exposed to second-hand smoke by their husbands at home will be included (68 intervention/non-intervention group). The intervention arm will receive an educational package including a consultation visit individually, a peer group session, a booklet, a “no smoking” sign. The primary outcome is the frequency of smoke-free home (no exposure to second-hand smoke at home). Mediator outcomes include a complete agreement to ban smoking at home, second-hand smoke exposure rate and self-assertiveness rate. All measurements will be conducted on baseline, 1 and 3 months after intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes will present the effects of implementing multi-component women's education intervention program to ban smoking at home. If the effectiveness of the trial is confirmed, it will be suggested to merge this package to routine care in primary health-care centers.