Perceived Synergistic Risk for Lung Cancer After Environmental Report-Back Study on Home Exposure to Tobacco Smoke and Radon. Issue 4 (May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Butler, Karen M.; Huntington-Moskos, Luz; Rayens, Mary Kay; Wiggins, Amanda T.; Hahn, Ellen J.
• Is Part Of: American journal of health promotion. Volume 33:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 597
• Page End: 600
• Publication Date: 2019-05
• Subjects: secondary prevention -- environment -- passive smoking -- radon; Health promotion -- Periodicals; Health Promotion; Health promotion; Periodicals; Periodicals; 613.05
• DOI: 10.1177/0890117118793886
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0890-1171

Abstract

Purpose: To examine the short-term impact of a personalized environmental report-back intervention to reduce home exposure to tobacco smoke and radon on perception of synergistic risk for lung cancer. Radon-induced lung cancer is more common among those exposed to tobacco smoke. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: Primary care clinics and a pharmacy waiting area at a University Medical Center in the Southeastern United States and community events. Participants: Five hundred sixty adult homeowners and renters (3-month follow-up, n = 334). Intervention: Personalized environmental report back. Measures: Single-item synergistic risk perception measure using 5-point Likert-type scale. Analysis: Change in synergistic risk from baseline to 3 months was evaluated using a generalized estimating equation model containing main effects of treatment group and time. Covariates in the model included age, gender, education, and home smoking status. Results: For treatment and control groups combined, there was a significant increase in perception of synergistic risk from baseline to 3 months, but the study groups did not differ. There was no association between perceived synergistic risk and whether or not there were smokers at home. Conclusion: Learning about combined risks for lung cancer, with or without dual home screening for secondhand smoke and radon and environmental report-back, may enhance perceived risk for combined environmental exposures. Evaluation of perceived synergistic risk with a single item is a study limitation.