Implementation and Evaluation of the Global Health Institute –China

Tobacco Control Partnership Student Internship Program Y.Duan1, C.McPhillips-Tangum1, P.Redmon1

1Global Health Institute, Emory University, Atlanta, United States

Project Background

Student Selection CriteriaFluent in Chinese (written and verbal); interested in tobacco control; enrolled in an advanced degree program; completed at least one year of advanced degree program; preferred skills in Epidata, Epinfo, SAS and/or SPSS.

MethodsEach student was asked to complete a written survey within two weeks of the conclusion of their internship. Data collection was completed in October, 2011. The responses to close-ended questions were analyzed using univariate statistical analysis in SPSS 11.0. The responses to open-ended questions were independently coded by two reviewers to identify key findings and themes among the qualitative data.

Result of Student Internship Program

The Emory Global Health Institute – China Tobacco Control Partnership (GHI-CTP) is a program funded by The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, USA. The goal of the GHI-CTP is to reduce the health, social, environmental and economic burdens of tobacco use by increasing capacity in China to develop and implement effective, accountable, and sustainable tobacco prevention and control initiatives.

The GHI –CTP Tobacco Free Cities program (TFC) provides funds to 17 cities to build sustainable, comprehensive city level tobacco control programs focusing on protecting non-smoker from exposure to second hand smoke, preventing the initiation of smoking and promoting cessation among current smokers.

The GHI-CTP Graduate Student Internship Program was initiated in 2011 to provide graduate students with a unique in-country global health experience and the opportunity to expand their knowledge and skills in global public health and tobacco control. Through a competitive application process, nine students were selected based on their qualifications, knowledge and skills to participate in the 8 weeks GHI-CTP internship program in 2011.

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Global Health China Tobacco Control

Agree Strongly Agree

Increased Desire to Work in Specific Areas (N=9)

11%

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Related to Tobacco Control in China

Related to Tobacco Control in General

Agree Strongly Agree

Enhanced Knowledge (N=9)

11%

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Enhanced Preparation to Begin

Career

Helped Clarify Career Goals

Helped Develop Valuable Skills

Disagree Agree Strongly Agree

Beneficial in Specific Ways (N=9)

33%

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Program Planning

Program Implementation

Program Evaluation

Data Management

and/or Analysis

Agree Strongly Agree N/A

Increased Skills in Specific Areas (N=9)

90% 90% 90% 90%

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Specific Tasks Were Performed During Internship (N=9)

11%

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Satisfied

Very Satisfied

Satisfaction with Program (N = 9)

Intern Perceptions Tobacco Control in ChinaChallenges• Low level of government support for tobacco control• Absence of strong tobacco control policies, coupled with low

level of enforcement• Social norms that support tobacco use among males

Opportunities• Enhance government support• Build on popular support to implement and enforce tobacco

control policies• Continue efforts to educate community members and policy

makers about dangers of tobacco and second hand smoke

Summer interns received certificate from GHI-CTP

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: The GHI-CTP Student Internship Program would not have been possible without the

support and cooperation of the nine TFC grantees cities that are highlighted on the TFC map above.

TFC Project Focus Areas•Hospitals

•Government Agencies

•Schools

•Enterprises

•Families

•City-wide SF policy

This internship not only provided me an opportunity to apply what I have learned in class and made me more proficient with work related skills, but also gave me insight into China CDC.

Xinwei Hua, Intern

Work with mentor

Conduct baseline survey

Present TFC project progress

This experience helped me develop my career goals and increased my knowledge about public health.

Fan Yu, Intern