Community of practice on tobacco control to health inspectors of Brazilian Sanitary Surveillance System: a capacity-building strategy to strengthen tobacco control policies in Brazil

摘要

Background and challenges to implementation Brazilratified the World Health Organization Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in2005. Regulation of tobacco products, promotion of smoke-free environments(SFE), and actions related to advertising, promotion and sponsorship (TAPS) oftobacco products are under Brazilian Sanitary Surveillance System (SNVS)responsibilities. SinceBrazil has a large territorial extension, including 5,570 municipalities and heterogeneousstructure in local health surveillance services, the need to strengthenknowledge and improve health inspectors' skills for the verification andmonitoring of regulations related to tobacco control is a challenge.Intervention or responseA communityof practice in the form of distance learning was identified as a strategycapable of strengthening tobacco control policies in Brazil. Community ofpractice is a learning space that facilitates the sharing of experiences amongparticipants on topics of their interests. The virtualplatform was developed by Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, in partnership with BrazilianHealth Regulatory Agency and with the support of The Union. It was structuredin 5 modules: Tobacco Epidemic; Inspection routine; TAPS, and SFE.Results and lessons learntTrainingprogram was offered three times during December 2015 and December 2016. It wasattended by 777 health inspectors from three levels of SNVS (federal, state andmunicipal). The evaluation process showed that 64% of the participantscompleted at least one module. According to the knowledge gain assessment, 94%of participants stated that they had sufficient knowledge about the tobaccocontrol policies in force in Brazil to carry out their work activities. Before attendingtraining, 55% made this statement. After attending training, 86% healthinspectors stated to feel themselves able to carry out health surveillanceactions related to tobacco control in all its dimensions (tobacco productsregulation, TAPS, and SFE). Before training, 44% made this statement.Conclusions and key recommendationsThistraining strategy showed its high potential to strengthen tobacco controlpolicies in large countries, covering many professionals in short time.