MAW research study completes enrollment for phase three
September 2, 2016Categories: Health Research and Data
During the past six years, ANTHC Clinical & Research Services and the Mayo Clinic, in collaboration with Southcentral Foundation (SCF), have been conducting the MAW (Biomarker Feedback to Motivate Tobacco Cessation in Pregnant Alaska Native Women) Study. In the first phase of the study, we demonstrated that prenatal smoking exposes infants in utero to nicotine, the addictive component of tobacco, and NNK, a tobacco-specific carcinogen. In phase two, we presented these findings to pregnant and postpartum women to obtain their feedback on how this information might be received and the most appropriate ways to include it in a tobacco cessation program. Based on Phase 2 feedback, we created a tobacco cessation intervention specifically designed to help pregnant Alaska Native women quit smoking. The third phase of the study involves pilot testing the intervention with women who were pregnant at study enrollment. While data collection will continue through the end of the year, the MAW Study team recently completed Phase 3 enrollment. We have engaged many partners with a common goal to improve the quality of life for those we serve. Thank you for your contributions and efforts as we continue to explore new ways to better serve our people. We also thank the people of the southcentral region who agreed this study was important to conduct here in Anchorage and to those who participated in the study.