The dissemination of a smoking cessation program to 23 antenatal clinics: the predictors of initial program adoption by managers

Objective: To investigate whether the method of dissemination, antenatal cl inic practice norms for smoking intervention and subjective evaluation of t he attributes of a new smoking cessation program are associated with a nurs e unit manager's initial decision to adopt the new program. Method: Twenty-three hospital clinics were randomly allocated to two groups which received the program either by simple or intensive dissemination met hods. Simple dissemination involved a mailout of the 'Fresh Start' program and in tensive dissemination involved a mailout which was enhanced by personal con tact with midwifery facilitators who provided support and training for the program. It was hypothesised that intensive dissemination would improve program adop tion compared to simple dissemination. It was also hypothesised that manage rs' perceptions of the program and clinic smoking intervention practice nor ms would predict program adoption. A hierarchical regression analysis was u sed to examine the association between these variables and the adoption of program components. Results: The results indicated that the method of dissemination and the man agers' perceptions of the program are significant predictors of program ado ption. Conclusions: Although clinic practice norm for smoking cessation education is not a significant predictor of program adoption, it appears to mediate m anagers' perceptions of the program.