Pokhrel, Pallav PhD

Research Overview

2014-2015 RMATRIX Collaboration Pilot Projects Program Awards

Project Description

Abstract

We propose to test the feasibility of using smartphones for smoking cessation intervention and research among pregnant and postpartum Native Hawaiian (NH) women. In Hawaii, NH, compared with other ethnic groups, show the highest prevalence rate of cigarette smoking as well as the highest rate of mortality due to tobacco-related diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. Moreover, among NH, smoking rate among women is as high as among men. Among women smokers, smoking during pregnancy and postpartum smoking involve serious risks both to self and the child. Prenatal and postnatal tobacco exposure adversely affects children�¢??s mental and physical development. Despite the disproportionately high smoking rate among NH women and its treat to reproductive health, to date, smoking cessation efforts targeting pregnant and postpartum NH women have been rare. Thus our goal is to successfully apply innovative mobile health (mhealth) technology to promote smoking cessation among pregnant and postpartum NH women.

Selected Publications

• Pokhrel P, Herzog TA, Muranaka N, Fagan P.
  Young adult e-cigarette users' reasons for liking and not liking e-cigarettes: A qualitative study.
  Psychol Health 2015 [more...]


• Franke AA, Lai JF, Kawamoto CT, Pokhrel P, Herzog TA.
  University of Hawai'i Cancer Center connection: Areca (betel) nut consumption: an underappreciated cause of cancer.
  Hawaii J Med Public Health 2014 [more...]