This cross-sectional study sought to determine the prevalence of smoking, readiness to quit, and preferences for smoking cessation treatments among a sample of 236 homeless adults attending 9 sites serving homeless persons (mean age 41.8 years; 73% male). Two thirds (69%) were current smokers, of whom 37% reported readiness to quit smoking within the next 6 months. In bivariate analyses, persons were significantly (P < < < < < .05) more likely to be ready to quit if they had tried to quit in the past and if they had social support to quit smoking. Nicotine replacement was the most commonly preferred assistance method (44%), and self-efficacy to quit (10-point scale) was significantly greater if assistance was available (7.3 vs 4.9; P < < < < < .001). The findings suggest an urgent need to develop and implement smoking cessation programs for homeless persons.

Objective. To determine the degree to which 3 different educational interventions enhance cultural competency in pharmacy students. Methods. Students were equally divided among a simulated-patient activity group, a written casescenarios group, and a formal lecture group. Mean scores for pre-and post-intervention cultural selfassessment surveys were compared. Results. In the simulation group, there were significant positive changes in the cultural skills and cultural desire components; in the case-scenario group, there was a significant positive change in the cultural awareness component; and in the lecture group, there were significant positive changes in the cultural skills and cultural empathy components. With respect to the cultural skills component, there was greater post-intervention improvement in the simulation and lecture groups than in the casescenario group. Conclusions. There were significant positive changes within each group, indicating that ideologies and behaviors may be altered based on the educational intervention received. However, a 1-hour practicum may not be sufficient to enhance cultural competency.

This cross-sectional study sought to determine the prevalence of smoking, readiness to quit, and preferences for smoking cessation treatments among a sample of 236 homeless adults attending 9 sites serving homeless persons (mean age 41.8 years; 73% male). Two thirds (69%) were current smokers, of whom 37% reported readiness to quit smoking within the next 6 months. In bivariate analyses, persons were significantly (P <.05) more likely to be ready to quit if they had tried to quit in the past and if they had social support to quit smoking. Nicotine replacement was the most commonly preferred assistance method (44%), and self-efficacy to quit (10-point scale) was significantly greater if assistance was available (7.3 vs 4.9; P <.001). The findings suggest an urgent need to develop and implement smoking cessation programs for homeless persons.

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