Community of practice on tobacco control to health inspectors of Brazilian Sanitary Surveillance System: a capacity-building strategy to strengthen tobacco control policies in Brazil
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Oswaldo Cruz Foundation - Fiocruz, Center for Studies on Tobacco or Health, National School of Public Health Sergio Arouca, Brazil
Publication date: 2018-03-01
Tob. Induc. Dis. 2018;16(Suppl 1):A650
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ABSTRACT
Background and challenges to implementation:
Brazil
ratified the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in
2005. Regulation of tobacco products, promotion of smoke-free environments
(SFE), and actions related to advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS) of
tobacco products are under Brazilian Sanitary Surveillance System (SNVS)
responsibilities. Since
Brazil has a large territorial extension, including 5,570 municipalities and heterogeneous
structure in local health surveillance services, the need to strengthen
knowledge and improve health inspectors' skills for the verification and
monitoring of regulations related to tobacco control is a challenge.
Intervention or response:
A community
of practice in the form of distance learning was identified as a strategy
capable of strengthening tobacco control policies in Brazil. Community of
practice is a learning space that facilitates the sharing of experiences among
participants on topics of their interests. The virtual
platform was developed by Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, in partnership with Brazilian
Health Regulatory Agency and with the support of The Union. It was structured
in 5 modules: Tobacco Epidemic; Inspection routine; TAPS, and SFE.
Results and lessons learnt:
Training
program was offered three times during December 2015 and December 2016. It was
attended by 777 health inspectors from three levels of SNVS (federal, state and
municipal). The evaluation process showed that 64% of the participants
completed at least one module. According to the knowledge gain assessment, 94%
of participants stated that they had sufficient knowledge about the tobacco
control policies in force in Brazil to carry out their work activities. Before attending
training, 55% made this statement. After attending training, 86% health
inspectors stated to feel themselves able to carry out health surveillance
actions related to tobacco control in all its dimensions (tobacco products
regulation, TAPS, and SFE). Before training, 44% made this statement.
Conclusions and key recommendations:
This
training strategy showed its high potential to strengthen tobacco control
policies in large countries, covering many professionals in short time.