Promotores contra el tabaco en la frontera: eLearning applications for culturally competent tobacco dependence treatment

The promotores de salud (community health worker) model takes important steps toward addressing the lack of culturally competent health care services for U.S. Hispanics. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate eLearning as a technique to instruct promotores in evidence-based intervention strategies for tobacco dependence treatment. Nineteen promotores serving Spanish-speaking populations in southeastern Arizona were certified to deliver tobacco dependence treatment interventions through a culturally and linguistically competent online program. Pretest, posttest, and 3-month follow-up data were analyzed to measure knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, behavior change, and satisfaction with eLearning. Analysis indicated high satisfaction with eLearning as well as significant gains in knowledge, skills, self-efficacy, and provision of interventions. Findings support successful outcomes using eLearning and the need for further research on computer-based learning for promotores.