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MCLASS - Muslim Communities Learning About Second-hand Smoke: a cluster randomised controlled trial and cost-effectiveness analysis 

This study investigated the feasibility of implementing and pilot testing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a ‘Smoke-free Homes’ (SFH) intervention in Islamic religious settings to encourage families of Bangladeshi and Pakistani origin to apply smoking restrictions in their homes. We found it was possible to recruit, randomise and retain Islamic religious settings and participant households. However, some of the original assumptions, in particular our ability to collect primary outcome data, need to be revisited before a definitive trial.

Why did we do this research?

In the United Kingdom, men of Bangladeshi and Pakistani origin have higher smoking rates than the general population. This makes non-smokers in their households more vulnerable to second-hand smoke exposure than the general population.

The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of implementing and pilot testing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a ‘Smoke-free Homes’ (SFH) intervention in Islamic religious settings to encourage families of Bangladeshi and Pakistani origin to apply smoking restrictions in their homes.

What did we do?

We undertook a two-arm pilot cluster randomised controlled trial and cost-effectiveness analysis. We allocated Islamic religious settings (clusters) to either receive SFH—an educational intervention—or to a control arm. Within each cluster, we recruited households with at least one smoker and one non-smoker. Second-hand smoke exposure among non-smokers was measured using salivary cotinine.

Who was involved?

Attendees of islamic religious settings of Sunni denomination in Birmingham and West Yorkshire, were approached by the faith leaders and the researchers and invited to take part in the research.

What did we find?

It was possible to recruit, randomise and retain Islamic religious settings and participant households. However, some of the original assumptions, in particular our ability to collect primary outcome data, need to be revisited before a definitive trial.

What happened next?

Funding for two subsequent studies in muslim communities learning about second-hand smoke in bangladesh (MCLASS II) was awarded  https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-022-01100-5  https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-018-3100-y

Publications

Shah, S., Ainsworth, H., Fairhurst, C. et al. Muslim communities learning about second-hand smoke: a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial and cost-effectiveness analysis. npj Prim Care Resp Med 25, 15052 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/npjpcrm.2015.52