Amrita Hospital, Kochi, has achieved remarkable success with its Kochi Intervention for Tobacco Smoke-Free Homes (KIFT) project. The project aimed to reduce indoor tobacco smoking and second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure, particularly among women and children. The project, which reached 10,000 members across 4,526 families, has seen significant success, with many participants changing their smoking habits and stopping smoking at home.
In collaboration with Cochin Corporation, local self-government, and NHM (Ernakulam), the project trained ASHA workers to conduct household surveys, sensitization, air quality monitoring, lung function testing, and sample collection for urine cotinine analysis. The project featured health education using flipcharts and the 3 A’s (Ask, Advise, Act), training on the health impacts of smoking and SHS exposure, the formation of children’s groups called "Kuttikootam," and the distribution of educational materials. Monthly home visits by the ASHA-SHG team reinforced the no-smoking message. Community meetings were conducted with local leaders, standing committee members, and testimonials from those who quit smoking, supported by video messages from leading oncologists and cardiologists.
The Department of Community Medicine at Amrita Hospital conducted an event to mark the success of the KIFT project. The inauguration was carried out by Adv. M. Anil Kumar, Honourable Mayor of Cochin Corporation. Dr. Aswathy S., Principal Investigator of KIFT and Professor & HOD, Dept. of Community Medicine, Amrita Hospital, Kochi, provided a detailed dissemination of the project. Mr. K.G. Rajesh, Panchayath President of Cheranelloor, expressed his gratitude, saying, "I first of all thank you for choosing Cheranelloor for this project. We have given awareness to 17,000 people successfully."
Dr. Savitha K., Deputy DMO, Ernakulam, highlighted the project's success, noting, "There were 677 smokers, and now it has come down as 600 people stopped smoking. This is a big achievement and all thanks to the project."
Notable attendees include Dr. K.R. Thankappan, Professor & HOD, Dept. of Public Health, Dr. Prathapan Nair, Emeritus Professor & Chief Medical Administrator, Dr. Sudheesh K., Medical Officer, FHC Cheranelloor and Dr. Sobha George, Additional Professor, Department of Community Medicine. The event also featured the screening of a KIFT documentary and the honoring of project staff.
The KIFT project, titled "Effectiveness of Tobacco Smoke-Free Home Intervention in Partnership with Women’s Self-Help Groups in the Slums of Kochi Corporation, Kerala: A Cluster Randomized Trial," aimed to reduce indoor tobacco smoking and second-hand smoke (SHS) exposure, particularly among women and children. The primary objective was to measure the effectiveness of interventions led by women’s self-help groups in reducing indoor tobacco smoking, using urinary cotinine levels and PM 2.5 as indicators of tobacco smoke in home environments.
Baseline data collection included demographics, smoking behavior, indoor air quality, and other health-related information from 17,000 members of approximately 4,500 families in urban and peri-urban areas. Implemented in 30 clusters among 700 families, the study faced challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic but was successfully completed. Post-intervention surveys conducted 4-6 months after the initial intervention, and repeated after another 6 months, confirmed the effectiveness of the project in creating smoke-free homes.
